International Events

WORLD CUP SENIOR DIVISIONS

The Board of the Australian Touch Association (ATA) announced this week that the ATA will not be pursuing alternative arrangements in the form of international games for its Senior teams not participating in the 3rd Senior World Cup of Touch in May this year.

The Federation of International Touch (FIT) announced late in January that the only Senior divisions contesting the World Cup would be the mens over 30 years and the mens over 35 years. These were the only divisions with sufficient nominations, mens over 30 years with seven and the mens over 35 years with four. The Federation requires four or more teams before any division can be contested at a World Cup.

Both Australia and New Zealand had nominated teams in the womens over 30s years, mens over 40 years and senior mixed, however other members of FIT were not in a position to support them.

With Touch New Zealand pursuing plans for its womens over 30s, mens over 40s and senior mixed teams to tour England and Wales in late April the ATA was left with few alternatives.

Australian and New Zealand are not likely to meet at international senior level in these divisions for a number of years, as Australia will undertake its biennial tour to the European Championships in 2004 and is due host the Youth World Cup in 2005.