thirty-two magazine (Spring issue)

thirty-two TOUCH MAGAZINE | SPRING 23

ISSUE 1

table of contents 13

Boston Touch Open A quick look at Boston Touch Rugby’s inaugural tournament in partnership with the MLR team New England Free Jacks.

photo by Lisa Li Studios for New England Free Jacks

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Big Easy Touch Tournament Touch rugby has officially arrived in New Orleans. Another tournament in partnership with an MLR team (NOLA Gold) that saw players making touches, scoring tries, wearing beads and partying on Bourbon Street.

cover photo by Susi Baxter-Seitz

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photo by Craig Boudreaux

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2023 Touch Trans Tasman Trans Tasman is back, baby! And it was every bit as exciting as anticipated. 7th Touch gives us a comprehensive rundown of what the competition was like.

photo by huhu images

LOCAL TOUCH

AROUND THE WORLD

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2023 Tourney Calendar

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2023 Touch Trans Tasman

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USAT Nationals

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Cultivating Tomorrow’s Champions

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Orlando Touch and Florida Touch Open

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European Championship

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Boston Touch Open

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Big Easy Touch Tournament

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Touch World Cup

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Club News

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Road to TWC24

TWC

FINAL WHISTLE 30

The Art of Officiating

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a good year for touch

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magazine for touch players by touch players. Some of my favourite things in one place: touch, photography and design.

For news, stories and to build community.

After a few slow years, 2023 is looking to be a busy year for touch, not just in the US, but around the world. Five months in and both Australia and New Zealand already provided us with top-notch touch spectacles in the shape of their National championships and the long awaited Trans Tasman. NSW's Junior State Champ was a testament as to why Australia will continue to be on top of the world for a very long time. Those kids aren't messing. Europe continues their preparation for the Touch World Cup with the European Champs in France after a very successful touch season in 2022.

Not to be left behind, the US has started taking their first steps on the road to the World Cup. National coaches have been announced, first camps are done and dusted. 14 home tournaments to chose from, including Nationals in October.

We got some amazing collaborators for this first issue of thirtytwo magazine. 7th Touch is the best account for touch content on Instagram (and if you aren't following it, you are missing out) and they give us a great write-up about the Trans Tasman. Rex Yi, touch slut extraordinaire, shares some thoughts from his endeavours in South East Asia. Louis Treays, Welsh touch prodigy and 2019 Touch Europe Junior Male player of the year, gets personal about the Euros.

2023 is a good year for touch.

Susi

The quiet before the (touch) storm San Diego Polo Fileds, Del Mar California

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photo Susi Baxter-Seitz

2023 TOUCH CALENDAR Tournaments, camps and Nationals.

Feb 18 Mar 25 Apr 8 Apr 21 & 22 May 5 –7 May 12 & 13 May 13 May 13 Jun 10 Jun 17 Jun 24 Jul 15 Jul 22 Aug 19 Aug 26 Oct 12–14

Ruggerfest Touch Tourney Florida Touch Open Boston Touch Open Cayman Touch USAT TWC selection camp Peaks Touch Rugby Tournament Big Easy Touch Tournament DC Tourney Mile High Touch Open Canadian Touch Nationals Cascadia Cup Summer Touch Showdown NY Rumble in the Jungle Palm Tree Invitational Chicago Tourney USAT Nationals

Ft Lauderdale Orlando Boston Caymans Austin Salt Lake City New Orleans Washington DC Denver Vancouver Seattle Los Angeles New York San Diego Chicago Oklahoma City

MXO MXO MO, WO, MXO & O35 MO, WO (MXO) MXO MXO MXO MO, WO & MXO MO,WO MO, WO & MXO MXO MO, WO, MXO

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USAT NATIONALS

By OJ Hawea USAT president

2022

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MIXED OPEN: Denver were able to go one better than last year by beating Austin 1 in the final. Both teams finished second in their pool but won in the cross-over semis to make the final. In a highly competitive match, Denver took the game by a single try to win their first Championship. Cayman knocked off Chicago in the This year we had 30 teams from 17 clubs playing across bronze medal game.

4 divisions. Congratulations to our division champions in some very tight competition. For the last two years, we All Stars: Jess Rollason (Austin - wing), Mariola Schmid have also named the top 6 players in each division, with (Chicago - wing), Doug Rowlane (Cayman - link), one of them being named MVP. Those 'All Stars' are also Charlie Brunt (Denver - link), Lincoln Little (Austin listed below for each division. Congratulations all! middle), John Tait (Denver - middle & MVP) his was our first time at the Omni Championsgate in Orlando, and I am sure the majority will agree it was a great venue. While the days were long and hot, and occasionally wet, we were very lucky with the weather to only have limited delays.

WOMEN'S OPEN: New York defeated the LA Royals in the final, in one of the most exciting games of the tournament. After being down the entire game, New York scored at the death to take the game into a drop-off where they won the Championship. Portland won the bronze medal.

MASTERS DIVISION (OVER 35): Dallas won a competitive final against New York, with Seattle taking home the bronze

All Stars: Luis Camacho (NYC - wing), Michael Stanton (Dallas - wing), Riley Mullen (Cayman - link), Robert Gessner (Dallas - link), Jarred Power (NYC All Stars: Kye Doran (Portland - wing), Nico Whiteford middle), Tim Oxenford (Dallas - middle & MVP) (NYC - wing), Jesse Whiteford (NYC - link), Shizuka A special thank you to our two international teams: Tei (LA - link), Selene Sheerin (LA - middle), Ines Team Canada and the Cayman Islands! It was great Petard (NYC - middle & MVP) to have you back to join us after a multi-year hiatus MEN'S OPEN: New York defended their title from due to COVID. I would also like to give special kudos 2021 beating first time finalists, Vipers in the final. to Austin Touch and Orlando for their outstanding Portland were able to overcome the LA Royals in the club growth this past year, to Tumeke for bringing bronze medal match. some youth to mix it with the adults, and Portland for bringing through their next wave of players – the All Stars: Arthur Dixon (Portland - wing), Mike Ellis future of our sport is bright!

(NYC - wing), Pat Jang (LA - link), Jarred Whippy (Vipers - link), Tahuahi Berryman (Vipers - middle), Thank you to all the players, volunteers, family, and Robbie Bennett (New York - middle & MVP) fans who turned out to make it a fantastic event. Of course, we would not be able to have the high quality matches we had without the support and dedication of our Referees – thank you!

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2023 USAT has announced dates and location for 2023 Touch Nationals.

It will be taking place in Oklahoma City, OK, from 12th till the 14th of October.

Tournament to be held at Wendel Whisenhunt Sports Complex, social and accommodation in the Historic Bricktown District.

More information to come.

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ORLANDO TOUCH & FLORIDA TOUCH OPEN

By Nathan Schalm - OTR Board Member & USA Touch Referee Photo by Spencer Goodnow

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he game of rugby, in all its various forms and manifestations, has given me so much in the years I have played it, that to measure the exact impact of this amazing game on my life would be extremely difficult. In this sentiment, I know unequivocally that I am not alone. The rugby community worldwide is unlike any other. And the Orlando Touch Rugby (OTR) club is a shining example of this wonderful game, in all its manifestations, at its’ very best. There are few sport communities that are as supportive, inclusive, character-developing and FUN as the game of touch rugby is. Personally, I am so grateful that I found this group 5 years ago. That they endured my incessant

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face-planting (occasionally assisted by an over-zealous Scotsman), bad habits borne of being a 15’s player, and terrible dad jokes, speaks volumes of the people that make up the OTR family. “Rugby” dysfunctional at times for sure, we are family, nonetheless [Insert Smiley Faced Emoji with Black Eye & Missing Tooth & Cue the Ballad of “Soft-Touch Matt”]. Love my OTR! OTR was carved into existence by 2 expatriate Kiwis circa 2006. According to legend, Phil Wallis arrived in the Magic Kingdom, and to his dismay, he when Googled “touch rugby”, nothing was conjured on the now obsolete magic mirror (Intel Core Duo 2

Extreme) into which he gazed. Zilch. Despite initial disinterest on the part of Orlando Rugby (Union 15s – many OTR players now represent both clubs), nonplussed, Phil enlisted fellow Kiwi Mark Booth, and undeterred, they set about funding, equipping, and weaving together the seminal ethos and tapestry that is now OTR. Laying one cobblestone at a time, slowly the winding path to club growth started. Kicking off (actually a tap, to be precise) with just 4 players playing 2-vs-2 for several months on verdant and clammy Central Florida Sunday mornings, after a few months some more “mates” of Mark (including Charlie aka The Godfather of Time, Chuck, and John), showed up, and the numbers started to grow. Not too long thereafter, some of the 15s rugby chaps came to their senses and decided to come hone their draw and passing skills, not to mention improve their fitness. Once the numbers reached a sufficient level, it was finally time to find competition to play against (shout-out to Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, and Palm Beach Touch), and the club has never looked back. On top of now playing competitively against other teams, Phil and Mark went about spinning their own real-life fairytale of bringing the first US Nationals outside of the west coast to the land of Daffy and Daisy.

Despite the Covid Interregnum, the club has persisted and this year we celebrate our 15-year anniversary.

Last year Orlando not only hosted the US Nationals again, but fielded 4 competition teams (Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Mixed and Masters), and provided 2 full time referees (shout out to my refereeing partner Adam Fauzi). Much of our recent success would not have been possible without the leadership and involvement of our amazing coach Robin Woods, OTR President, Dr. Roland Gutierrez, our Treasurer Chuck Brandon, and Board Members John Maltbie, Alejandra Enriquez and Bryce Holycross. And although he is no longer on US soil, we know that Japan Touch will be as greatly blessed by our former VP, the fantastic Andy Yi, who’s contributions over the last few years to OTR are truly incalculable.

Andy’s greatest contribution and legacy for the game of touch in Florida is, however, his vision and implementation of the Florida Touch Open (FTO).

Initially conceived and brought to life in Jacksonville in 2016 where he lived for a time, when he moved to Orlando, the tournament shifted here. 2020 and 2021 were cancelled due to Covid, but the tournament roared back to life in 2022 and 2023. This year’s tournament was a great success led by OTR board member John Maltbie, and included Atlanta Touch, Jacksonville Touch and Ft Lauderdale, as well as the attendance of Jay Alston, USA Touch Secretary and Head Referee, and the only American born Level 5 referee in the world. Andy’s forward thinking for the American game was confirmed by Jay this year when he shared that the vision of USA Touch leadership is to have tournaments at the regional or state level, and then have the tournament champions head to nationals to compete for the national title. Andy’s commitment and vison for the game in Florida and the US has unquestionably placed us at the head of the curve nationally, and we are truly grateful for the time and effort he spent with us.

Since that first growth spurt of the club, Phil has had to return to New Zealand, Andy has moved to Japan, but the legacy they and Mark began has not only survived but thrived. In my time with OTR we have had more countries represented on the field than I could possibly name. From Great Britain to the South Pacific, France to Malaysia, Spain to Lesotho, and New Zealand to the Dominican Republic, OTR is as international a group of people as you will ever find.

It’s one of the things that I truly love about this club! If you feel like you want a slice of the OTR spirit, you can find us on Instagram, Meet Up, Facebook and on our website at www.orlandotouchrugby.com . Come find us at Blue Jacket Park in Baldwin Park, Orlando, every Wednesday evening and Sunday afternoon. Get fit!

Get into fun! Get into touch!

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BOSTON TOUCH OPEN

By Renee Ovrut Photos by Lisa Li Studios for New England Free Jacks

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he inaugural Boston Touch tournament saw four teams competing in a half day tournament. Early April weather in the northeast is always a gamble, but the teams were met with a beautiful sunny day, even if the temps did start around freezing! In addition to two competitive Boston sides, New York Touch and a Canada medley team, made up of players from Montreal and Toronto, joined the competition.

New England’s Major League Rugby team, the Free Jacks, provided a great partnership in the event, by enabling Boston Touch to host its tournament at their grounds in Quincy, Ma. Additionally, all players were invited to the Free Jacks’ game and entertainment following the tournament.

While New York took home the trophy, Boston’s Premier Team ensured they didn’t easily walk away with the top spot, keeping both the pool game and championship game within one point. All other games were hard fought, high quality and, most importantly, a tremendous amount of fun! After watching the Free Jacks beat the Chicago Hounds, all teams enjoyed the social at Boston’s Democracy Brewery, as well as revelry in Boston’s downtown dive bar scene.

Based on the enjoyment and success of the first year, Boston is looking forward to next year’s tournament and plans to expand it to include more teams. Boston Touch started in 2017, though for the first few years, we focused on generating interest, engagement and membership. Now that we have substantial numbers, we are focused on competition via tournaments, in addition to our development.

If you’re interested in learning more about or joining Boston Touch, you can find us at: Email: PlayBostonTouch@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/groups/bostontouch Instagram: @BostonTouch

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BIG EASY TOUCH TOURNAMENT

By Natalie Weber Photos by Craig Boudreaux

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he Big Easy brought the competition in its first annual FIT touch rugby tournament. New Orleans Touch Rugby welcomed the Fort Lauderdale Flamingos and a team of free agents from Seattle, Denver, Dallas and Houston to Louisiana.

NOLA itself has a deep roster that was split among three teams to allow every player to get plenty of play time.

The five teams played up to five games each under the New Orleans sun in a full-day pool play tournament.

In a day of fierce competition with many games ending in narrow point differentials, the free agent Pizza Cats took home the trophy – and every team found ample opportunities to learn a lot and have even more fun!

After supporting the Gold at their game, all the teams met on Bourbon Street for a New Orleans-style social complete with costumes, karaoke and other festivities.

Fort Lauderdale took the win at the social with their fabulous flamingo fashion.

On the heels of the success from its inaugural tournament, NOLA Touch Rugby looks forward to growing next year’s Big Easy bash for even more teams.

The program is also excited to grow the team, continue fostering the competitive edge in its members, and make more national tournament appearances.

To learn more about NOLA Touch Rugby, you can New Orleans’ Major League Rugby team, the NOLA find us at: Gold, generously supported this event, by enabling the tournament to take place on the MLR pitch at Shrine Facebook: facebook.com/nolatouchrugby Stadium and providing each Big Easy Tournament Instagram: @nolatouchrugby | participant with free entry to the Gold match that followed the tournament.

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CLUB NEWS denver Following a very successful inaugural Mile High Touch Open with 10 teams from all over the country and New York finishing first after a down-to-the-wire final against Portland, the 2023 edition will have eight teams battle it out in Westminster on June 10th. Last year’s MHTO finalists, along with 2022 USAT Nationals MXO finalists will be joined by Seattle and San Diego to compete for the top place. But who’ll take home the wooden spoon?

los angeles After a great club day and a vibrant social touch schedule we are looking forward to kicking off the competitive season for 2023! Please join us on Saturday July 15th for our Summer Touch Showdown tournament hosted here in LA. We will have both Mens and Womens divisions so please reach out via Facebook or Instagram if you’re interested!

seattle Cascadia Cup is an annual tournament co-hosted between Seattle/Portland Touch Rugby Clubs. This year’s Cascadia Cup is being held at the Regional Athletic Complex, Lacey WA on June 24th. There’s no better place to be in summer than playing Touch Rugby in the PNW summer vibe! Lush green fields, perfect temperatures, and some of the best beer/food options after.

If you’d like to join the fun, register here.

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2023 TRANS TASMAN By 7th Touch Photos by huhu images

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nternational Touch in the Southern Hemisphere finally made its long-awaited return after 1,448 days as the Australian Emus and the New Zealand Touch Blacks reignited their Trans Tasman rivalry joined also by the Touch Blossoms from Japan. From the 21st-24th April, Whites Hill Reserve in Brisbane, Queensland was treated to three days of spectacular Mixed, Women’s and Men‘s Open Touch with many more ‘Touchies’ watching on from around the world. Additionally, the Trans Tasman series would be the first test of international Touch for these nations under the new Federation of International Touch (FIT) 5th Edition Rules. Since the 2019 Touch World Cup in Malaysia, the 5m lines had increased to 7m, the exclusion zone had been introduced and – as we found out in the second Men’s Open test – the drop-off rules had also been modified. With so many rule changes for the teams to adapt to, it provided an extra dose of drama to what was already shaping up to be an exciting series.

Mixed Open The Mixed Open grade was a great series with the Emus and Touch Blacks easily disposing of the Touch Blossoms before providing end-to-end action against one another all series. Both sides blooded new talent with only eight players across the series having had previous international experience in the Open grades.

There were a number of dynamic youngsters picked who made sure this series was as exciting as it promised to be.

The Emus claimed the first scalp in the Trans Tasman series, winning 11-10 in Game One, which saw both teams put on a fantastic display of athleticism, speed and skill. In the return match however, the Touch Blacks’ decision to rest their experienced captain Mark Hodson proved costly as the Emus took out the game and the series with a decisive 9-4 victory. The third encounter was a classic one that mimicked the opening match, and a James Hegedus try in the final minute gave the Emus a 10-9 win and a 3-nil series whitewash.

Hegedus was among Australia’s best with his elusiveness and agility proving difficult for the Touch Blacks to contain. The Emus’ Steph Maiolo also impressed with her safe hands out on the wing. For the Kiwis, debutants Chylo Flavell and George D’Urban-Burgess put in strong performances while veteran Atawhai Hotene proved a try-scoring machine out on the wing, notching up 17 tries for the tournament. For the Touch Blossoms, a highlight was the remarkable achievement of Japanese legend Hideaki Nara, who celebrated 20 years since making his Open grade debut. He first represented Japan at the 2003 Touch World Cup in his homeland in Kumagaya, Japan, and he marked this 20-year milestone by switching from the Men’s Open to the Mixed Open to provide some much-needed playing experience to their young side.

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Women’s Open The Women’s Open was arguably the tightest of all three grades with the Emus, Touch Blacks and Touch Blossoms putting in strong showings in all nine games.

The Australians had the most experienced lineup across all teams, boasting 195 test caps throughout their side.

By contrast, the Touch Blacks had 28 test caps with 13 debutants in their 16-strong squad. While the Touch Blossoms went down in all six encounters, they were exciting to watch and had improved markedly by the conclusion of the tournament.

In the Trans Tasman series, it was a true David vs.

Goliath battle in almost every sense – but Goliath was the dominant one in this clash. The Emus came out strong in Game One, running out convincing 10-1 victors. The Touch Blacks bounced back in Game Two, firing more attacking shots and fixing some defensive issues from the night prior. But again, the might of the Australian side was overwhelming for the Kiwis and the series was wrapped up inside two games – although the 6-4 scoreline showed hints of improvement from the Touch Blacks. It was short-lived, however, as the

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third game was much like the first. The Emus used their superior running game and bodies in motion to take out the match 10-3 and notch up another series whitewash over their Trans Tasman rivals.

For the Australians, their strength lay with the team – their defence was rock solid and they had so many attacking threats laced throughout the team it seemed hard to keep up with at times. In saying that, Rebecca Mi Mi was great all-round while Hayley Maddick was a headache for the Kiwis, using her low game to great effect all series. Touch Blacks co-captain Mary Ieremia-Allan led from the front for her side and was at the heart of most of their scoring chances. Skylah Tainui-Takerei also had a great debut series, showing great poise for a 16-year-old and calmness in the face of adversity. The Touch Blossoms were expertly led by livewire Kana Kuraishi who was electric all weekend, showcasing her elite footwork and high Touch IQ.

Men’s Open The Men’s Open grade promised to be high quality and the on-field action did not disappoint the raucous crowd at Whites Hill Reserve. The Emus and Touch Blacks were too classy for the Touch Blossoms who were light on experience but high on passion and energy. The Japanese were adventurous and disciplined, creating several scoring chances that perhaps lacked the polish needed to score against the two best international teams in the world, although it was not through lack of effort.

The under-manned Emus pegged one back with 90 seconds left but couldn’t find the equaliser. The Touch Blacks came away with an 8-7 victory to salvage some pride for not only the team, but the entire New Zealand contingent as well.

With so many talented players having put in strong performances, Hayden Moffat and Harry Griffin stood out for the Emus. The pair of debutants had a hand in several Australian tries and proved difficult to contain.

For the Touch Blacks, Ifor Jones had an all-time tournament. He was extremely elusive, and his jinking feet left many Emus defenders clutching at thin air.

Lantze Davids also had a great debut series, working well on both sides of the ball.

The highlight of the tournament for many, though, was the series between the Emus and Touch Blacks which was another classic encounter between the Trans Tasman rivals. Four of the previous six clashes between these two sides had been decided by a single try, with two of those matches going down to a drop-off, and After a successful Trans Tasman weekend, all eyes will this series followed suit. now look forward to the impending 2024 Touch World Game One started out as a tight tussle, but the Cup in Nottingham, England. After the Covid-19 Touch Blacks were flat coming out of the half- time pandemic heavily impacted the four-year window since break and paid the price, going down 7-3. The second the 2019 Touch World Cup in Malaysia, all teams have match was drama personified and, in a see- saw battle, just over twelve months to plan and strategise and make the scores were locked at 6-all at full-time with the adjustments heading into the biggest international high-stakes game heading to drop-off extra time. As event on the Touch calendar. The sport of Touch has the game ticked down to 3 players per side, a potential come out of the other side of the pandemic in a strong match-winner from the Touch Blacks was called back position which is great for the future of International for a forward pass and less than a minute later it was Touch and based on this Trans Tasman – as well as the Emus instead who were celebrating a thrilling 7-6 some of the other international tournaments from victory and series triumph. Game Three was far from a around the globe – next year’s Touch World Cup event dead rubber and was tit-for-tat for most of the game promises to be one for the ages. until the Touch Blacks scored the decisive try three minutes from full-time to give them a two-try buffer.

CULTIVATING TOMORROW’S CHAMPIONS Investing in Youth Touch in North America

By Rex Y. - Toronto Touch Rugby

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ouch rugby is a fast, fun, and exciting sport that's gaining popularity around the globe. One of the hotbeds of this growth is South East Asia, specifically within the international school system.

Here, youth touch has blossomed, producing some of the most technically skilled players in the world. It's no surprise that many of the USA Touch Nationals MVPs, including all three women's MVPs from last year, emerged from this fertile training ground. This is a testament to the power of early exposure to the sport and high-quality coaching. One standout is Ines Petard, an outstanding player on the field and an alumni of this system.

a program with eight international schools last year.

The goal was to introduce FIT Touch to students, and the results were promising. The program has been requested to run again this year, and it's encouraging to see the kids from last year continuing to improve their skills.

Of course, there are challenges. In North America, touch rugby is mostly run by volunteers, making it tough to marshal the necessary resources. But where there's a will, there's a way. One of our most passionate players, Rachel Cheng, has been leading the partnership with Toronto schools this year, doing an excellent job despite the hurdles.

So, what makes South East Asia's approach to youth To overcome the challenges and bridge the gap touch so effective, and what can we learn from it in between the demand for referees/coaches and available North America? volunteers, we've started to charge for the programs Firstly, starting kids early is a huge advantage. When and pay our volunteers for their time. This small shift young players are introduced to touch rugby rules and has made a big difference, ensuring that the people we techniques, they get a head-start on developing their rely on to run the sport can commit their time. skills. This early immersion into the sport creates a solid The potential benefits of investing in youth touch are foundation upon which they can build as they grow. undeniable. Just look at the numbers from the USA Next, regular exposure to tournaments in the Nationals every year. There is a disproportionate international school system is crucial. These events number of players that come out of the South East offer an invaluable competitive environment, allowing Asian international school system. budding athletes to test their skills, learn from their The future of touch in North America looks promising. experiences, and improve.

As more cities start investing in youth touch, we expect Quality coaching is another key ingredient in the to see an increase in participation and, crucially, the success recipe. Schools in South East Asia often have quality of play. With the right investment and focus, access to skilled coaches who can effectively train and North American touch rugby can reach new heights. guide young players, fostering their growth in the sport. I'm personally looking forward to seeing how this investment in our youth will shape the landscape of the In North America, we're catching on to this successful sport in the years to come. model. Taking a leaf out of Asia's book, Toronto piloted 22

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EUROS

By Louis Treays - Galaxy London and England MO Photos by Mark Bunting, Howard Goldberg and Shona Currie

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here’s something special about Euros.

For me, touch is a whole family event. My dad has played for one of the Wales men’s senior teams, my sister is currently playing for Wales women’s open, I play for England men’s open, and my mum helps manage one of the Welsh senior women’s teams. So Euros is always a great opportunity for us to all support one another and play touch in the sun. That’s why Euros is special for me.

Don’t get me wrong, losing a Euro final sucks. Been there, done that.

Having said that, I look back to 2018 Euros where we lost to Scotland in a drop off with a sense of pride. A 2nd place loss vs a really strong Scotland side in a drop-off is something to be proud of.

It's cool to look back and see how much the game has grown since then. Comparing everything back then to now, you can really see how the game has developed. It’s so much faster! People can rip long balls, dive at the line, manipulate Of course, the atmosphere, the defences – what a nightmare to number of players and supporters, defend! and general energetic vibe of the tournament help me remember Euros is one of those legendary the experience - but it’s the competitions that will never stop. embarrassing memories of my It’s been fundamental to the growth family rocking up in the campervan of the sport here in Europe. I look with camping chairs and a packed forward to it every year and can’t ice box screaming, “Cmon Louis!” wait to watch it develop in the which I remember most vividly. future.

As a youngster, I dreamed about winning Euros. It was all I could think about. However, it’s the time spent preparing with the team, seeing your friends and family support you, and the opportunity to play touch with your mates which I place more of an importance on now.

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TOUCH WORLD CUP As players and NTAs start their preparations for the 2024 Touch World Cup, we’ll take a small dive into past Touch World Cups.

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he inaugural Touch World Cup took place at Carrara Oval in Queensland on th 14 –16th of November, 1988.

Five countries, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the United States, competed in four divisions: men's, women's, mixed open, and masters (M35).

Australia won all divisions.

The final standings per category: MO:

1. Australia 2. New Zealand 3. Canada 4. Papua New Guinea

WO:

1. Australia 2. New Zealand 3. Canada 4. Papua New Guinea

MXO: 1. Australia 2. New Zealand 3. Canada 4. Papua New Guinea M35: 1. Australia 2. New Zealand 3. Canada 4. Papua New Guinea 5. USA Source (including images): Thompson’s Touch Almanac, an excellent resource for anything on touch rugby history and stats touchalmanac.com

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he second Touch World Cup was played at the Avondale Racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand, from 3rd till the 7th of December, 1991. The number of countries/territories participating increased to nine: Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Japan, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Tokelau and Western Samoa. The number of divisions increased to six: men's, women's and mixed open, seniors (M30), women's senior (W27) and masters (M35). Australia won all divisions except the women's senior which was won by New Zealand after beating Australia 4-3 in the final.

The final standings per category: MO: 1. Australia 2. New Zealand 3. Niue 4. Western Samoa 5. Cook Islands 6. Fiji 7. Tokelau 8. Papua New Guinea 9. Japan WO: 1. Australia 2. New Zealand 3. Cook Islands 4. Western Samoa 5. Niue 6. Papua New Guinea MXO: 1. Australia 2. New Zealand 3. Cook Islands 4. Western Samoa 5. Tokelau 6. Papua New Guinea W27: 1. New Zealand 2. Australia 3. Western Samoa 4. Cook Islands 6. Papua New Guinea M:30 1. Australia 2. New Zealand 3. Niue 4. Cook Islands 5. Western Samoa 6. Fiji 7. Papua New Guinea M35: 1. Australia 2. New Zealand 3. Western Samoa 4. Cook Islands 5. Papua New Guinea 6. Japan

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ROAD TO TWC24

By Saphia Petard Photos from various phones from USAT National camps in San Diego and Austin

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n 21st of December 2022, the Federation of International Touch announced that the Touch World Cup will be hosted at the University of Nottingham’s Highfields Sports Complex between July 15th and 21st, 2024. Following FIT's announcement, USAT appointed the coaches for their World Cup squad: Open's Squads Men's Open: OJ Hawea Women's Open: Adrian Witte Mixed Open: Oliver Lovell Age Groups (Masters): Women's 27s: Glenn Hayes Men's 30s: Dave Parker Mixed 30s: Steve Watt Men's 35s: TK Moeke Men's 40s: Tristan Mana Men's 50s: Richie Walker

Between May 5th and 7th, 2023, USA Touch hosted a final World Cup Women’s selection camp. More than 50 athletes from across the US arrived in Austin, TX, vying for a spot on the Women’s Open, Women’s 27s, Mixed Open and Mixed 30s squads.

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This May camp was the final opportunity for players to show their skillset before the teams traveling to the Touch World Cup in July 2024 are officially named.

We saw folks give their all in skill sessions and inter-squad games, proving just how much the level of Women’s touch has improved stateside over the last 4 years.

Thank you to all the athletes for making the trip!

Although the camp was focused on women’s selection (following a men’s focused camp in February), we saw folks come down to trial for the Men’s 30s and Men’s 35s squads as well. Thank you also to the selected MXO men who made the trip to Austin to support the women trialling for MXO. Thank you to the Austin Huns Rugby Club for hosting the camp, and to all referees, coaches and support staff for their time. Stay tuned for the final squad selections, and roll on the World Cup!

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THE ART OF OFFICIATING A Look into the World of Touch Rugby Referees

By Jay Alston USAT Director of Referees

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n the fast-paced world of touch rugby, a sport renowned for its agility, skill, and speed, there exists a team of individuals who play a pivotal role in ensuring fair play and maintaining the spirit of the game—the touch rugby referees. These dedicated individuals, armed with a whistle, a keen eye for detail, and a passion for the sport, embody the essence of impartiality and uphold the rules of the game. I want to take a few minutes to delve into the world of touch rugby officiating, shedding light on the challenges, rewards, and unique experiences that come with the role.

The Role of a Touch Rugby Referee

Key Skills and Attributes

We serve as the impartial arbiter of the game, responsible for enforcing the rules, making crucial decisions, and promoting player safety. Their primary objective is to ensure fair play, uphold the integrity of the game, and create an enjoyable experience for all participants.

To excel as a touch rugby referee, certain skills and attributes are essential. A deep understanding of the rules and regulations of touch rugby is paramount.

Referees must possess exceptional knowledge of the game, including nuances, variations, and potential infringements.

Moreover, referees must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. We must be able to effectively communicate decisions to players, coaches, and spectators in a calm and concise manner, maintaining control of the game and diffusing potential conflicts.

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Game Management and Decision Making Touch rugby referees face a myriad of challenges on the field. They must possess the ability to make splitsecond decisions in high-pressure situations. From determining whether a touch has been completed to identifying infringements such as offside, forward passes, or excessive physicality, the referee's judgment can significantly impact the outcome of the game.

Maintaining control over the match is another critical aspect of a referee's role. They must ensure that the game flows smoothly, intervening when necessary to penalize foul play or manage disruptive behavior.

Striking a balance between maintaining authority and fostering a positive playing environment is crucial.

Using just our voices, we can help players maintain a game flow by preventing penalties before they even occur. I can say that players appreciate a clear and early interpretation of potential infringements and the levity given to help them avoid a penalty.

and visit cultures you might not have experienced in your everyday life. Here in the US, there are a dozen regional tournaments you can attend, the US Nationals in Oklahoma City in October. Beyond our borders, you’ll find the game on six continents and referees are always welcome to offer their on-field expertise at games and competitions. Next year culminates in the Touch Rugby World Cup and we are hoping to send a host of US-based referees to better learn the game at its highest level and raise the level of play domestically.

Refereeing also offers personal growth and development. It hones decision-making skills, enhances composure under pressure, and fosters a sense of fairness and integrity. Additionally, referees play a crucial role in ensuring the sport remains accessible, inclusive, and enjoyable for people of all ages and abilities.

Beyond the mental reward, the game helps keep you in shape and is far more mentally stimulating than a treadmill or pounding the pavement for several miles.

Building Rapport and Resolving Conflict A referee's role extends beyond making decisions on the field; they are also responsible for building rapport with players, coaches, and other officials. Establishing mutual respect and trust helps create an environment where players feel comfortable seeking clarifications or expressing concerns.

Our goal is to embody fairness, integrity, and a deep enjoyment for everyone involved. Dedication, knowledge, and unwavering commitment to promoting fair play contribute significantly to the success and growth of touch rugby.

Being a touch rugby referee is a challenging yet Conflict resolution is an inevitable part of a referee's rewarding endeavor. From making split-second journey. Disputes between players, disagreements with decisions to managing conflicts and fostering positive coaches, or the handling of unruly spectators require playing environments. the referee to demonstrate exceptional composure and diplomacy. By defusing tensions and maintaining a respectful atmosphere, referees contribute to the Upcoming ref clinic overall spirit of the game.

Level 1 Refereeing June 9th 3pm – 7pm The Rewards of Officiating

Westminster City Park Complex While the role is demanding, it offers numerous 10455 Sheridan Boulevard rewards. Referees have the opportunity to be contact: denvertouchrugbyclub@gmail.com intimately involved in the sport they love. We form lasting connections with players, coaches, and fellow requirements: Level 0 course complete officials, creating a vibrant community bound by a (available at: www.usatouch.org/referees) shared passion. It gives you the opportunity to travel thirty-two

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This is an independent publication.

We are based in the US and welcome article submissions about touch from around the world.

Articles, comments, complaints, grivances and praises can be submitted to thirtytwosub@gmail.com