SIXTY SECONDS IN TOUCH

By: Rachel Grant

Welcome to another edition of 60 Seconds in Touch, which will do it’s best to summarise the mountain-load of news that has been bombarding the front pages of Touch websites Australia-wide…

• The TFA shop is up and running with the initial technical problems sorted out. Already orders have been coming in for different items, including the Fox Sport 2006 NTL DVD, referees uniforms, publications and ESUS Touch Shoes. To visit the shop and either look through the products or purchase something, just click on the TFA Merchandise picture/link on the left hand side of the website. Then you can browse through the different categories of items. If you have any questions call 1800 654 951.

• The Queensland State of Origin and Beach Touch launch was a huge success, with Beach Volleyball Olympic Gold Medalist Natalie Cook helping to launch the series and the Beach Touch competition and donning the Queensland #1 supporter jersey. With just a few weeks until the State of Origin takes place, the competition is certainly heating up.

• Touch Footy was a hit at the NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and Canberra Raiders on the weekend as a Mixed and Womens match took centre stage for 30 minutes before kick off. In the Womens, it was the ACT Women who held off the Victorian Womens, while in the Mixed it was a 7-7 draw between the Victorian Aussies and Victorian Kiwis, with guest Aussie Tony Eltakchi leading the way.

• TFA would like to welcome Tracey Thompson to the national office, she’s just started her role as Assistant Finance Officer, helping TFA staff keep on top of all the financial ins and outs of the organisation. Welcome aboard Tracey, it’s good to have you here!

• The survey on the 2006 NTL Fox Sports package has been completed and a story with all of the results and the random prize winner will be uploaded to the website ASAP. Overall, the feedback has been regular, with a large majority of viewers appreciating the package and its contents. Make sure you check out the story when it appears. 

• The 2006 Queensland Junior State Cup is being held from July 7-9 at the Glasshouse and with around 130 teams nominated it certainly looks as though Junior Touch in Queensland is thriving. ESUS footwear will be attending the Junior State Cup and their shoes will be available for purchase at the event.

• This year's Queensland Primary School State Champs are being held in Bundaberg from the July 27-30. Referees are required for this event. Please contact David Bonser on (07) 41551104 or bonzy@optusnet.com.au if you would like to officiate. Come and have a great time in the winter sun in Bundy!

• In the TFA tipping competition ‘Kiwi Mongrel’ is still leading the way on the NRL ladder, while the AFL split round and several upsets could shake a few of the ladder leaders next weekend.

• Nominations for the 2006 NSW Touch Association Vawdon Cup close this Friday June 23. Check out www.nswtouch.com.au for more info.

• Rachel Grant and Marianne Maguire are working their way through building the new AusTouch website. For those who aren’t aware, AusTouch is TFA’s junior Touch program and the site will contain loads of information on the program Australia-wide, resources, coaching examples and much more. The website will even contain some of the information available for leaders and other interested coaches found on the AusTouch DVD/CD resource, which is available for purchase in the TFA shop. Keep an eye on the TFA website over the coming weeks for the launch of the new site. Until then, all AusTouch enquiries can be directed to marianne@austouch.com.au

• The Federation of International Touch (FIT) have released their new website. Make sure you check it out at http://www.internationaltouch.org/

• The 2006 NTL package that was shown on Fox Sports and also the raw footage of each of the 3 Open finals combined (footage shot from the tower camera) is available for purchase either by calling 1800 654 951 or visiting the TFA shop.

• Despite the 2-0 loss to the Brazilians Socceroo fever is still at an all-time high and TFA are still looking for a name that can symbolize our National teams traveling to South Africa next year for the 2007 Touch Football World Cup. We need something original…suggestions received already include the Wallaroos, Bilbies, Emus, Bandicoots, Southern Stars, Aussie Sixers and more. Email your suggestions to media@austouch.com.au 

• Remember, if you have any news for the weekly column of 60 Seconds in Touch, simply email it to media@austouch.com.au