SIXTY SECONDS IN TOUCH
Welcome to the latest edition of Sixty Seconds in Touch, with only 2 and a half weeks until the 2005 Under 18 National 18 Championships and just 9 weeks until the 2005 All Nations Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand...
* The race is underway at NSW Touch for the 2005 Boland and Smith medal winners...For all the news on who is winning and what the running total is, check out the following article: http://www.nswtouch.com.au/index.cgi?det=1&intArticleID=965&sID=12
* TouchWest are looking for a media student to help them out with promoting the sport through WA's media outlets...with up to $2000 in payment being offered, as well as the great experience the work brings, it's a great part time job or work experience for a student looking to work in the sports media field. On a personal note, I'd encourage all interested to check it out...I had the same part time job with Australian Touch in 2003-2004 and when I graduated in 2004 they allowed me to take a permanent full time role with the organisation. It's a fantastic opportunity that TouchWest are offering, so check it out at http://www.touchwest.com./
* Rachel's latest Sports News article is up on the Sports News website. Once again, another opportunity to show the Sports world that Touch has an incredibly large participation and readership base. Please check out the story and keep supporting the efforts to promote Touch Australia-wide. Here's the link straight to the story: http://www.sportsnews.com.au/content.php?article.112
* If you're looking to get some media coverage for your Under 18 sides heading to the National 18's Champs in Coffs, simply send Rachel an email at media@austouch.com.au, she'll be glad to help you out in any way she can.
* All the merchandise ordered for the Under 18 Championships is in and it looks awesome, there's new Kooldri gear, graffiti print singlets and t-shirts, new items such as headbands and wristbands in a bevy of colours and also the silicon wristbands that seem to be everywhere at the moment. Over the next couple of weeks we'll be loading up a photo gallery that will show images of some of these items. Keep an eye out so you can see some of what's on offer before you get to the event.
Also, if you're a bargain hunter, there will be plenty of old gear on sale at the event, including various event t-shirts, hats, bags, odds and ends, as well as referees gear that can't be sold at full price because it has the old logo on it. It's certainly a great way to pick up a spare shirt or pair of shorts for just $5 or $10 each.
* Winter is slowly but surely (and very thankfully for those of us here in Canberra) coming to an end, meaning Summer Touch competitions will be calling for nominations, registrations and so forth soon. Keep an eye out at your local association; perhaps get a social team together to take in the action over summer. What's better than a bit of fun and fitness with your mates or perhaps office mates, followed by a BBQ and drink or two on a beautiful summers evening?
* The planning is coming together for the Under 18 Championships Opening Ceremony, with South Sydney's ex-Touchies Joe Williams and John Sutton agreeing to come down again for the tournament. They'll be involved with the Opening Ceremony, as well as helping out with a little bit of commentary from the `Fishbowl' and field work as well. They'll also be taking part in the Celebrity Challenge match, a sight surely not to be missed! The Celebrity Challenge match is a new initiative being kicked off this year and will take place before the Mens and Womens Under 18's grand finals. Make sure you get out on the finals day for this!
* If you've been taking advantage of the great merchandise specials on the internet, or you've been thinking about ordering some of those shirts for your social team...THIS INFO IS FOR YOU: The specials have been so popular that our shelves are getting bare...before you place an internet order please contact Casey at ata@austouch.com.au to check that we have what you want, what sizes you need and what colours you're after. This will minimise the stress for Casey as she deals with orders that have been paid for, for clothes we don't have!
* Apparently America held their Touch Football nationals over the weekend...keep an eye on the website for more info as we get our hands on it.
* Feel free to send any info you have for this column to media@austouch.com.au
By Rachel Moyle
