The Australian Touch Association is excited to announce that Peter McNeven, Rick Borg and Peter Bell have been inducted into the Australian Touch Association Hall of Fame.
In an announcement at the National Touch League Open presentations, Peter McNeven, Rick Borg and Peter Bell were thanked and congratulated in front of around 3000 players, officials and spectators. These three touch legends join 12 others, who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. These 12 are: · Terry Jacks, · Karen Smith, · Lisa Neal, · Ray Lawrence, · Kerry Norman, · Ron Wall · Mick McCall, · Mark Boland, · Scott Notley, · Craig Pierce, · Katrina Toohey (nee Maher), and · Bob Brindell Peter McNeven has managed the Queensland Mens Open team from 1983-1987 at the ATA National Event, and then continued his role with Queensland Mens Open as a coach from 1988-1996.
He represented Australia at the World Cup in 1988-1999 and also in the Trans Tasman series in 1985-1998.
Peter was also the Australian Mens Open Manager from 1985-1988 and from 1991-1999 he held the position of Australian Mens Open Coach.
In 1992 he held the position of QLD Touch Association delegate to the ATA General Committee.
His qualifications include a Level 3 Coaching Accreditation, a Level 4 Coach Presenter and a Level 3 Selector. In 1995, He was presented as a Life Member of South West Qld Association and in 1992 a Life Member of Queensland Touch Association.
Throughout his career he has achieved 51 caps for his country being made of 35 World Cup appearances and 16 tests.
Rick Borg has excelled as a referee at State, National and International events for the past 12 years. He is well respected amongst his peers and no doubt a role model to all aspiring touch referees.
Rick has been recognised as a Team Leader for the past ten National Championships and has been Queensland and Australia's number one touch referee for the past 10 years.
His hard work and dedication was rewarded in 1995 when he rose to the position of World's Number one Touch Referee, a position he has held firmly for the past 8 years.
Rick's achievements speak for themself, having again been rated as the World's Number one Touch Referee at the recent Touch World Cup in Japan.
In his career he has 70 test caps or his country, consisting of 46 World Cup appearances, 21 tests and 3 other internationals.
Peter Bell has participated at a National level as both a player and coach. He was a member of the Queensland Mens Open team in 1987 and 1988. From there he took on a coaching role, as the Queensland Womens 20's coach from 1987-1991, and the Queensland Womens Open Coach from 1992-1995.
Peter coached the Australian Womens Open team in the Trans-Tasman series from 1997-2002 and in three World Cup tournaments from 1995-2003.
He has been responsible for the promotion and coaching of Touch throughout Queensland schools, increasing the linkages between school and representative Touch and also establishing Touch as one of the most popular sports in Queensland schools.
Peter is very highly respected by fellow coaches and players, and his dedication to the sport of Touch is unfaltering. This, along with his desire to give back his knowledge and skills to the game is testament to his passion of Touch.
Throughout his time in touch football he has achieved 38 caps for his country, including 26 World Cup and 12 test appearances.
Media contact: Rachel Moyle, 042 223 3165
