Armidale is set to make history with the town being the first in regional NSW to host a League Touch tournament.
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Touch football has proved itself as a popular sport in the backyard, schoolyard, with weekly competitions and tournaments at an elite level.
The sport is developing and the governing body in Australia and the National Rugby League have joined forces to start up NRL League Touch.
The sport “takes touch footy back to its roots” and is described as “what you grew up playing in the backyard.”
NRL League Touch adds more traditional rugby league rules such as kicks in play and markers to touch football.
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Armidale’s NRL League Touch administrator Jess Smith said it is exciting to be hosting one of the first tournament’s and there has been interest in signing up.
“Armidale was spotted area for a good launch and they approached us and we were more than keen to try the idea,” she told The Armidale Express.
“There has been plenty of interest on social media, it has only been launched for two days at the moment.”
The game plays seven-a-side on a half size rugby league field.
The competition will be played at Rugby League Park in Armidale with mixed teams.
“It is for ages 13 plus. The first season is just a social introduction to the game so we are looking for mixed family teams,” Smith said.
“Ideally we would like to have 12 teams in the competition but I think 8 to 10, it would be a really good number to start with.”
Smith said down the track they will look at making it more competitive.
Touch Football Australia are hoping to boost participation rates in the sport with the alternate version.
“The game provides an alternate format of Touch Football aimed at increasing participation in people who enjoy a League style format with a traditional ruck area and kicking,” they said.
“Due to its format the game will also be a little slower, meaning age and fitness levels are less relevant than in traditional Touch.
“It will be open to everyone aged 13 and up, so parents and grandparents can play with their teenage kids and grandkids.”
The competition is expected to commence on February 1 from 5.30pm.
The cost is $62 per person.
Information can be found at armidaleleaguetouch.sportingpulse.net or you can contact Smith at armidaleleaguetouch@gmail.com
