Dear Members,
As we approach the end of 2025, we are delighted to share our final update for 2025. There are some exciting developments ahead for our sport, and I hope you enjoy reading this update.
The Next Play Launch
Last week, we launched The Next Play, our new Strategic Plan that will guide Touch Football for the next seven years. The Next Play emphasises grassroots growth and community connection, and introduces our new sport values: United, Inclusive, Integrity and Excellence – shaping how we deliver the strategy and grow together.
The response to the video launch has been remarkable – over 80,000 people have viewed it, and what is exciting is that 70% of those who viewed it on Instagram came from accounts that weren't following Touch Football Australia (TFA). This tells us that our story is being shared outside of our current community and, hopefully, making it easier to expand into new audiences.
On behalf of TFA, thank you to everyone who contributed to shaping The Next Play through surveys, conversations, and feedback. Your voices are genuinely reflected in our plan. If you haven't yet had a chance, I encourage you to watch the launch video and read the full plan. It features some contributions from our community, including Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Marcus Ashcroft, Director Brad Fittler, our Emus Women’s Opens Coach Renee Murphy, NRL legends Ryan Papenhuyzen and Elise Simpson, and Touch athletes Chris Lennon, Bella Slattery, and Danni Davis.
Recognition of Ongoing Collaboration
Before I go further, I wish to acknowledge the genuine collaboration across our sport this year, particularly with our colleagues from NSW Touch Association (NSWTA) and Queensland Touch Football (QTF). We’ve seen staff step up to support tournaments beyond their own states, helping each other deliver great experiences for our Members and participants. This willingness to work together reflects the very best of Touch Football and brings our values to life.
It would also be remiss not to recognise the outstanding award ceremonies delivered by both NSWTA and QTF. Both organisations demonstrated excellence following successful years, reflecting the strength of their leadership, staff, and volunteer networks.
I would also like to warmly welcome Duncan Tweed to our community as NSWTA’s newly appointed CEO. Duncan joins us at an exciting time for Touch Football, and I look forward to his contribution as we deliver The Next Play and continue to strengthen our sport. We also look forward to continuing our work with Dean Russell in his new leadership role at NSWTA.
Governance Updates
Welcome to Our Newly Elected Directors
Following our recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 29 November, we are delighted to formally welcome Danielle Smith and Sharyn Williams as elected Directors. Both Danielle and Sharyn have been serving the Board since May, and their expertise, passion, and perspectives are already making a difference to how we think, plan, and govern.
I also want to thank Sally Irwin for standing for election. Sally's contribution as Chair of the WA State and Advisory Committee (STAC) remains invaluable, and we are grateful for her leadership.
New Sport Policies
Some of the recent governance changes include new sport policies:
- National Selection Policy and Coach and Manager Appointment Policy: ensuring clear processes and our new values are embedded in how we identify and support talent, including new pathways for Alliance State athletes. A few call-outs:
- The new National Selection Policy has specific provisions requiring Australian coaches and selectors to look comprehensively for talent in our Alliance States.
- We have had an outstanding response to advertisements for National Selectors and All Stars Coaches, and we look forward to communicating the outcomes soon.
- Lastly, stay tuned as we will be advertising for Masters Coaches shortly.
- Thank you to the expert Steering Committee who guided the establishment of this important work, including current national Opens coaches Renee Murphy, Phil Gyemore, and Dave Nolan; distinguished coaches Tony Trad, Peter Bell, and Bernie Morrison; player representatives Gavin Shuker, Leah Percy, and Sharyn Williams (also acting as Chair of the Committee); and governance support from TFA representatives Angela Trenerry and James Sharp, as well as Richard McInnes (Australian Sports Commission Executive General Manager) and Sarah Cook (Rowing Australia CEO).
- National Participation Data Policy: a new policy to take a step forward in how we capture participation information to support better decision-making.
- Finance Policy: an updated policy that underpins a sustainable sport well into the future.
Constitution Review
Our constitution review is also progressing and remains a priority. We're aiming for completion by mid-2026, and this work will modernise our governance structures and ensure they are fit for the modern sporting landscape. We will continue to communicate progress.
Alliance State Annual Meetings: An Exciting Time to Get Involved
There’s never been a better time to step up and contribute to Touch Football at the Alliance State and Territory level.
We've just launched The Next Play, completed a comprehensive governance review, and are about to embark on a constitution review, making this genuinely an exciting time in TFA's history. With our renewed focus on grassroots and community connection, our local communities need great people.
State Annual Meetings will be held in early 2026 for Alliance States, where Members will elect representatives to STACs for positions where terms have expired.
The constitution review will be a key priority for all Members, and STAC representatives play an important role in connecting with Members and shaping what comes next.
Further details will be communicated in January 2026.
Participation is Growing
I'm pleased to share that we're seeing positive participation trends across the country. As at the end of November for the preceding 12-month period, Queensland is up 2.5% and, encouragingly, growth is also returning to Alliance States, with Western Australia recording a 2% growth, the ACT increasing by 3%, and Victoria achieving 17% growth.
There's still work to do in all States and Territories, and we are confident The Next Play will build on this momentum.
Other Strategic Plan Updates
The Next Play is built upon four strategic pillars: Grow Touch, Represent Touch, Showcase Touch, and Nurture Touch. Whilst we have a seven-year plan, we will build momentum and progress around quarterly sprints. This is what you can expect to see by Q1 2026:
Grow
- Action plans confirmed for all Alliance States to support grassroots growth.
- Appointment of dedicated MySideline support to uplift Affiliate digital support and capability.
- Commencement of Affiliate resource and tool development.
- Pilot of RefBook in Western Australia to streamline the recruitment, management, and payment of referees.
Represent
- A comprehensive review of The Championships format to enhance your experience and provide a clear pathway.
- Advertisements for National Selectors and Masters Coaches, supported by the new National Selection Policy.
Showcase
- Completion of the inaugural National Commercial Framework and Strategy, which includes an objective valuation of assets and a list of brands that align with Touch Football values and organisational goals. Off the back of this, TFA, NSWTA, and QTF will have a renewed focus on securing whole-of-sport partners in 2026.
- In collaboration with NSWTA, QTF, and industry experts, TFA will produce a revised Digital Marketing Strategy and undergo a full, whole-of-sport Brand Refresh. This project will drive additional following, reach, and engagement in a very competitive digital world.
- Digitisation of the Touch Almanac to enhance participant and member engagement.
Nurture
- Performance goals established for TFA Leadership, aligned to each strategic pillar, with a focus on increasing participation and growing commercial and partnership revenue.
- Continued work on the Constitution review.
A Special Note on the Sport Calendar
We have responded to feedback relating to the Sport Calendar, and we are excited to say we have an experienced Working Group with representatives from TFA, NSWTA, and QTF on this. We will communicate any changes to the 2026 calendar in due course, however, the real changes will be seen from 2027, where all Working Group members are striving for reduced calendar clutter and calendar clashes, as well as alignment with major events from the NRL and Federation of International Touch (FIT).
Our team are also looking at innovation for these tournaments to truly transform your participation experiences. Stay tuned.
Thank You and Season’s Greetings
To every player, volunteer, referee, coach, administrator, and supporter – thank you. Your passion and commitment are what make Touch Football special. As we head into the holiday period, please take time to rest, reconnect with loved ones, and enjoy a well-deserved break.
To the many community members who have engaged with us through forums and feedback opportunities, thank you for your willingness to share your voices and help shape the future of our sport. Your insights ensure that we continue to evolve while staying true to the essence of Touch Football.
Together, we enter the next chapter of our sport with unity and shared purpose. I look forward to what lies ahead as we bring The Next Play to life.
Yours sincerely,
Christian Frost
Chair – Touch Football Australia
