Australian Touch Association

Life Members

Phil Smith:	Awarded in 1986
Dick Fairbairn:	Awarded in 1994
Barrie Keenahan:	Awarded in 1994
Dr Paul Webb:	Awarded in 1996
Cary Thompson:	awarded in 1996
Brian Rooney:	awarded in 2004

Phil Smith: Phil was the first person to be awarded Life Membership in 1986. He was given the award at a presentation ceremony following the 1986 Nationals in Glenelg.

Dick Fairbairn:

Barrie Keenehan: Barrie was born on July 20th 1942 and started a Touch competition in 1978 in Wollongong. In that same year he was elected President of the Referees Association and Director of Referees. It was in 1994 that Barrie was awarded Life Membership. Barrie believes the best referee he has worked with is Rick Borg, while the person he most respects in Touch is Bill Ker. In 2000 Barrie was awarded with the Australian Sports Medal.

Dr Paul Webb: Dr Paul was awarded Life Membership in 1996. He was born in Zimbabwe, but moved to Tasmania in the mid 1960's. Paul has been involved with Touch since 1983 and he is responsible for many of the technical publications and has upgraded many coaching manuals, as well as designed coaching courses. In 1994 Paul was also awarded the Eunice Gill Coach Education Merit award. He has long-time interests in other sports such as Rugby Union, cricket and hockey. Paul is currently the Director of Physical and Health Education at Wollongong University and has been a member of the National Technical Panel since 1987 and a Board member since 1990. Paul has achieved the following qualifications, Ph.D University of Origan, USA, M.Sc University of Origan, USA, M.HK University of Windsor, Canada, B.Ed Tasmania College of Advanced Education.

Cary Thompson: Cary was also awarded Life Membership in 1996 and is widely known as "Mr Touch". Cary first became involved with Touch in 1970, helping to establish the Manly Warringah Touch Association and was responsible for drawing up the association's constitution. Cary has been the President of FIT (Federation of International Touch) since 1991 and has coached America and Japan in separate World Cups. He has also led development tours to Japan, South Africa, England and Scotland. He has been involved with other sports such as Rugby League and Union and also undertaken coaching courses within these sports.

Brian Rooney: The most recent to receive the Life Membership award, Brian is a Senior executive of a National Transport Company. He has been involved in the sport of Touch in many roles filling many different coaching, playing, tour management and administrative positions. He has coached Australian Masters sides, traveled as Head Coach and Tour Manager for both Open and Youth World Cups and has worked as the ATA Commercial Director, President, Finance Director and Board member. Brian has been a member of the ATA board for a period of nine years now and is still continuing. He is a Business Management graduate from the University of New England