As 2022 draws to a close, we look back on what was another massive year of Touch Football, with plenty of highlights and significant moments. Here are some of the top highlights.
Touch Football Australia Secures Inclusion Funding from Sport Australia
In January, Touch Football Australia (TFA), received funding from Sport Australia to continue our commitment to inclusion. The funding has been used to support the All-Abilities Program and Pride in Sport Collective initiative.
To learn more, click here.
Touch Football Returns to the NRL All-Stars
Touch Football returned to the NRL All-Stars arena after COVID interruptions. Both sides relished the opportunity to be involved and participated in cultural sessions which provided an opportunity for players to connect, learn and celebrate their cultures. In the end it was two tries to Jardel Bob, and a Rebecca Mi Mi masterclass which separated the two sides, as the Indigenous All Stars beat the Māori All Stars 7-3 in wet conditions at Commbank Stadium.
To find out more about the game, click here.
TFA and DoorDash Launch the Footy Cash from DoorDash Funding Grant
This February, TFA alongside DoorDash launched a $100,000 grants programme, to support local affiliates across the country. 12 inspiring recipients in June were given a share of the funding to assist their club and local communities.
To learn more about the programme, click here.
Pride in Sport Collective Launch
This March, Pride in Sport in partnership with twelve National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) came together to form and launch the ‘Pride in Sport Collective’. The research-based approach, featuring mental health experts and participating NSOs, will see sporting bodies in Australia deliver capacity building, community engagement, marketing, and promotional initiatives. TFA is the lead NSO for the project.
To learn more about the partnership click here.
Bristol Paint Aus Open
Our Pain Away Australian Emus came together for the first time since 2019 at the inaugural Bristol Paint Aus Open event, a new concept pitting the countries best Touch Football athletes against each other. Held at Harker Oval, New Lambton (Newcastle) on Saturday the 23rd of April, three exhibition matches across Men’s, Women’s and Mixed divisions were held, providing emerging players the opportunity to prove themselves against the best the game has to offer.
The day also provided an opportunity for members of TFA’s Golden Jubilee teams to finally come together and be publicly recognized for their achievements and impact on the sport. Special replica Emus shirts were presented to Golden Jubilee team members by members of current Emus squads.
For more information on the day, click here.
Inferno National Touch League
For the first time in the event's history TFA was forced to postpone the Inferno National Touch League (NTL) to early May (4th to 7th). Despite the delay, the 26th Inferno NTL provided four exhilarating days of Touch Footy action. Queensland teams dominated this year’s event, claiming 10 of a possible 17 championship titles, including all three open divisions. Capping it all off, the Brisbane Cobras were awarded the Golden Boot, awarded to the overall champion region.
For final results and awards click here.
Brisbane Hosts Inaugural Touch of Pride Event
As a part of TFA’s efforts to make Touch Football a safe, inclusive, and welcoming place for all, the inaugural Touch of Pride event was launched this May in Brisbane. The University of Queensland, St Lucia hosted two days of Touch Footy action, including two divisions for corporate and social teams. 50% of each corporate teams’ entry fee was donated to QLife, an organisation which provides anonymous and free LGBTI peer support for Australians wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings, or relationships.
The social division, saw the completion of the first All Gender Touch Football competition in Australia, enabling players to participate anyway they feel comfortable.
Click here to learn more about the event.
Touch Football Australia Adopts National Integrity Framework
TFA has joined other national sporting bodies in joining National Integrity Framework (NIF) established by Sport Integrity Australia (SIA). SIA and TFA have been working together over the last 18-months on the adoption of the NIF and at the July TFA Board of Directors meeting the motion was passed to adopt the full suite of policies under the NIF. The framework coincides with updates made to the TFA Policy section on the website.
For more information click here.
30th DoorDash National Youth Championships
The 30th instalment of the DoorDash National Youth Championships saw 111 teams compete across four massive days of Touch Football action, making this year’s tournament, the largest in the events’ history. In what’s been a massive year for Queensland Touch, the sunshine state dominated proceedings, claiming 5 of a possible 8 championship titles. Queensland Secondary School Touch (QSST) made a noteworthy return to the tournament, claiming both 18s titles.
To read more about final results and rewards, click here.
National Indigenous Touch Football Knockout Makes a Successful Return
After a COVID enforced hiatus in 2021, TFA in partnership with the Regional Enterprise Development Institute (REDI.E), hosted the return of the National Indigenous Touch Football Knockout (NITFKO) in Dubbo this November. The tournament serves as a key component in TFA’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). NITFKO aims to create a sense of community, inclusive participation, enjoyment, and reconciliation, whilst promoting positive health messages and encouraging physical activity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Click here to learn more.
Touch Football Australia Annual General Meeting
Current TFA Director and Chair Anita Hagarty was successfully re-elected to the Touch Football Australia Board at the 2021/2022 Annual General Meeting held on Saturday 19 November.
Click here to view the Annual and Financial reports accepted at this meeting.
Commercial Momentum Continues
Touch Football Australia welcomed Red Rooster as a Major Partner of the sport in February, who join an ever-growing list of top companies and brands supporting the sport. TFA also welcomed Accor and renewed a long-standing partnership with My Sports Tape.
International Calendar Relaunched
In an exciting way to end the year, TFA announced that Brisbane will host the return of international competitions in 2023. An expanded Opens Trans-Tasman Test Series featuring Australia, New Zealand and Japan will be held in April, followed by the Pacific Youth Touch Cup in May. Both events will be held at the $4.1M refurbished Brisbane Metropolitan Touch Association.
Click here to learn more.
