History
The game of Touch had very humble beginings indeed. Used as a training technique for Rugby League teams during the 1950s and 60s it was never seen as a sport in its own right. Eventually more and more people turned to touch for a safe social game to play and it soon became inevitable that an official competition would be held. The first official game of touch was held in the traditionally strong rugby league area of South Sydney. The South Sydney Touch football association was founded in 1968 and ran a competition in that year. The matches were held at the aptly named Pioneer Park. Very soon after this other associations were formed and interdistrict competition began in 1978.
In 1979 the Queensland Touch association was formed, with the four initial districts of North Queensland, Central Queensland, South East Queensland and Wide Bay. The game soon blossomed in Queensland as well and in 1980 the inaugral National Championships were held. Only three divisions were contested in that year, being the men's and women's open, and the men's over 35s. In 1995 the National Championships catered for eleven divisions which included 1500 players and officials!
The 1988 Men's Australian open Team
The 1985 Australian Men's Open team.
1988 Men's Australian open Team
The 1988 Australian Men's Open team.
There are currently 250,000 registered Touch players with approximately 500,000 school children playing the sport. The game has also expanded over seas with the last World Cup in Hawaii attracting teams from, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, the USA and Papua New Guinea. It is expected that the 1999 World Cup in Sydney will host teams from twenty nations.
News In Brief
Poll
The ATA is wanting your opinion on the NTL logo.

Do you think that the logo is:
A: Terrible, the style has nothing to do with Touch and it needs a colour change

B: Satisfactory, not brilliant/not terrible, but what else could be done?

or

C: Great, encompasses Touch Australia-wide and the colours are the Aussie green and gold


Enter your vote and let us know!
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