World's Best Touch Players on Show in Brisbane

The world's best Touch Footballer's will descend on Brisbane in 2023 with Touch Football Australia (TFA) announcing that the sunshine state will host two international touch events next year.

The Opens Trans-Tasman Test Series, widely regarded as the pinnacle of international fixtures outside of the Touch World Cup will be held in April and will be followed by a Pacific Youth Touch Cup in May.

Traditionally a contest between arch-rivals and the world's two top ranked nations in Australia and New Zealand, both events will be expanded next year to enable other nations to relaunch their international programs and prepare for the rescheduled Touch World Cup in 2024. 

Japan will join Australia and New Zealand teams at the Opens event in April setting up an enthralling tri-series between the top three ranked touch football nations, whilst the Youth event in May is open to all Southern Hemisphere and Pacific nations and is expected to draw teams from as far as Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Singapore.

The events mark the return of international touch fixtures following a four-year hiatus. The last major international tournament held was the 2019 Touch World Cup in Kuala Lumpur where Australia were crowned World Champions. 

Federation of International Touch Director Peter Topp welcomed the announcement. 

"After the disruption and rescheduling of international events in recent years, we're delighted to see top-flight Touch Football return to the global stage." Mr Topp said.

"These events will not only provide opportunities for Australia and New Zealand athletes but encourage participation and development from several emerging nations from across the Pacific and Southern Hemisphere."

The Opens event will be the first time the Pain Away Australian Emus have played on home soil since 2017, a factor that no doubt will be used as inspiration in the face of tough opposition from New Zealand and Japan.

TFA Chief Executive Officer Jamie O'Connor believes the events are a great opportunity for Queensland.

"We're looking forward to witnessing international rivalries resume on the field and the preparation these events will provide our teams ahead of the World Cup in 2024 but are equally looking forward to hosting our friends from the international community off the field and welcoming individuals to Brisbane." O'Connor said.

"Touch Football is enormously popular in Queensland enjoyed by 138,000 Queenslanders so it's great to be able to place high quality elite content here and showcase the state to a large international audience."

The events are expected to attract thousands of participants and supporters to Brisbane and Queensland across April and May adding to an action-packed events calendar.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane will be the home of touch football in 2023. 

"There is no better place than Brisbane to host the return of international touch footy fixtures," he said.

"Whites Hill Reserve is home to our brand new $4.15 million purpose-built clubhouse, cementing its name as Queensland's premier touch football venue."

"This will provide a world-class sporting experience for the hundreds of players and supporters coming to Brisbane for the blockbuster test series."

"We invite visitors to explore Brisbane, with our envious outdoor lifestyle, urban adventures, and riverside dining precints providing something for everyone to enjoy."

Both events will be held at the home of the Brisbane Metropolitan Touch Association, one of the state's largest community sporting organisations and home to 800 Touch teams annually.

Many famous sporting names have previously represented Australia in the event including Kalyn Ponga, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Tamika Upton and Tarryn Aitken.

The 2023 Opens Trans-Tasman is being held from 21-23 April and the Pacific Youth Touch Cup is being held from 12-14 May 2023.