Friday, March 15, 2013
By BEN HARRIS
Touch football is a sport on the rise in Hong Kong.
The sport began about 10 years ago and has evolved to be a huge participation sport where it is part of the rugby development program within the country.
Hong Kong have picked their best players from their country to travel to Coffs Harbour and play at the 2013 X-Blades National Touch League in the mixed opens division.
“We got to a stage where we got some naturally talented players and the group of players we have brought are winning against the teams in Hong Kong 10, 11 zero,” Hong Kong coach Ben Worthington said.
“In order to progress any further we know we have got to come and play the best players in the world.
“The plan is to bring a team over for the 2015 World Cup and it is all about raising our skill level. They are playing at the right level but for short periods of the games, the only way they are going to extend that is by playing the top players. That’s why we are here.”
But like any developing sport, there are some difficulties.
“The temperature in Hong Kong allows us to play all year round but the challenges we face is surfaces, we don’t have natural turf surfaces we play on astroturf,” Worthington said.
“The summer league has about 2000 players but it is very much entry-level touch; the players we have here are the regulars of the Hong Kong summer league.
“There is huge participation but what we are lacking is a volume of experienced coaches to take those players up to the next level.”
Language is also an issue Worthington said.
“Most will speak English, my challenge is my Cantonese is very, very limited.
“As with most sports you tend to communicate through sign language and the concept.
“I do have two English-speaking, I’ve got an Australian ex-pat Donna who is with us, she has played here and down in Sydney, so she is good for communication and I have some dual-language players as well.
“So team talks take twice as long,” Worthington said with a smile.
You can keep up-to-date with all of the latest news and information from the 2013 X-Blades National Touch League in the following ways:
Websites
Social Media
Facebook – www.facebook.com/touchfootballaustralia
Twitter – www.twitter.com/touchfootyaus (be sure to use the hashtag #NTL2013)
Instagram – search for ‘Touch Football Australia’
YouTube - www.youtube.com/touchfootballaus
Touch Football Australia will be live streaming matches on their YouTube page.
- Links:
Hong Kong touch
