Another taste of the Touch news from around Australia...


* The latest Youth World Cup news is up on ATA's site, including info on the websites for the Youth World Cup, the Aussie Presentation night and the Opening and Closing ceremonies. Make sure you check it out: YOUTH WORLD CUP INFORMATION

* Hero faxes and emails are already coming in for the Aussie Youth World Cup sides. These will be displayed for the players to read when they get to Caloundra. Remember the email address for all hero emails is ausyouthworldcup2005@hotmail.com and the fax number is (02) 6285 2820

* Wallsend Touch have sent a big congratulations to their 3 Aussie Youth World Cup participants, Lehetta Lane, Tegan Considine and Jai Curry, all selected in the Mixed 20 Years side. Check out the story on http://www.wallsend.touch.asn.au/

* Triton Touch Club from East Melbourne are in the news again! They are going to donate one quarter of the profits from their chocolate drive to the Australian Red Cross Tsunami appeal. So check out TRITON TOUCH CLUB CHOCOLATE DRIVE for all of the info and lend a hand if you can. It's been fantastic to see the way people world wide are getting in to help those who have been affected by the disaster.

* Woolgoolga Touch are also doing their part for the Tsunami relief. Woolgoolga Touch, near Coffs Harbour, have 12 games of Touch on Wednesday night and simply placed a bucket on their counter and in 12 matches collected $113.85 of loose change!

* To all coaches (any level), selectors (any level) and referees (level 4, 5 or 6). If you have moved or changed addresses in the past 4-5 years, then this next piece of important information is for you...Please email Chris Tarlinton, ATA's Technical Assistant, technical@austouch.com.au with your new address!

Chris is continually updating the various databases and is discovering a large number of letters are being returned to him because of incorrect addresses. This makes it very difficult to communicate information about courses, reaccreditation and various other bits of important information.

* For all selectors interested in attending the 2005 National Touch League in Coffs Harbour...deadlines for applications have been extended until January 25. So jump onto the story on the ATA homepage, download the appropriate forms, fill them in and send them back. It's a great chance to be involved with the NTL, some great people, see some great Touch and help select the Aussie sides for the 2005 All-Nations Tournament in New Zealand.

Please note that applications for referees have now closed. The referees will be nominated of the outcome of their application as soon as possible.

* If you haven't read it already, we recommend you have a read of the story on the ATA home page entitled `Another Punch in the Fight against Drugs.' The ATA has released their updated Anti-Doping policy and it's definitely a worthwhile read and resource.

* ACT Touch Assocation's AGM will be held at 9.00am on Saturday February 12 2005 at the Canberra Business Centre Regatta Point. For more info see www.acttouch.com.au

* Happy Birthday to ATA's Merchandise champion Gwynne Ker for Monday January 17. She'll be up at the Youth World Cup organising all merchandise and uniforms for the referees, Australian Teams and the tournament. So make sure you drop in on her and wish her a happy birthday!

* The Australian Sports Commission have announced a grants program for Women in Sports Leadership. The grants range from between $5000 and $10,000 in five key areas:
* High Performance coaching and officiating;
* Indigenous women in rural and remote communities;
* Women in disability sport;
* Women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds;
* Women in general sports leadership, eg: coaching, officiating, club development and management, board and committee skills and sports medicine. For more information have a look at the following story. GRANTS FOR WOMEN IN SPORTS LEADERSHIP

* Remember all requests for media assistance or story ideas can be sent to Rachel Moyle at media@austouch.com.au