Events

Within the objective of global sport development, FIT encourages, coordinates and regulates the conduct of international competition at the elite level. There are various levels of competition involving multiple levels of participation. This policy identifies the classification of various events and specifies the administrative, financial and logistic requirements for each of those levels.

The Federation requires that appropriate standards are met in delivering any competition or activity involving international competition in the sport of Touch. International competition is defined as any competitive activity involving more than one Member country.

Please download the PDF version below.

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Event Classification Policy: Updated 18th Feb 2012.

Age criteria

The Recognised Playing Divisions Policy identifies the age groups contested in international competition.

The table below shows the eligibility dates for the next five years.

  20232024202520262027
Under 18born on or after1st Jan 20051st Jan 20061st Jan 20071st Jan 20081st Jan 2009
Under 20born on or after1st Jan 20031st Jan 20041st Jan 20051st Jan 20061st Jan 2007
Over 27born on or before31st Dec 199531st Dec 1996†††
Over 30born on or before31st Dec 199231st Dec 19931st Dec 19941st Dec 19951st Dec 1996
Over 35born on or before31st Dec 198731st Dec 19881st Dec 19891st Dec 19901st Dec 1991
Over 40born on or before31st Dec 198231st Dec 19831st Dec 19841st Dec 19851st Dec 1986
Over 45born on or before31st Dec 197731st Dec 19781st Dec 19791st Dec 19801st Dec 1981
Over 50born on or before31st Dec 197231st Dec 19731st Dec 19741st Dec 19751st Dec 1976

† the Women's 27 category will be reviewed after the 2024 Touch World Cup.

Classifications

Tier 1A

Global or international competition for national representative teams of Member countries in Open or Senior Divisions.
Example: Open or Senior World Cup

Tier 1B

Global or international competition for national representative teams of Member countries in Youth or Junior Divisions. Financial requirements will likely differ for Tier 1B Youth or Junior Events.
Examples: Youth or Junior World Cup Events.

Tier 2A

Established, multinational Regional competition for national representative teams of Member countries in Open, Senior or Youth Divisions. Financial requirements may differ for Tier 2A Youth or Junior Events.
Examples: Regional Federation Championships like the European Championships involving more than two Member countries.

Tier 2B

Developmental, multi-national competition for national representative teams from Member countries and/or Developing Nations in Open, Senior or Youth Divisions.
Examples: European Mainland Cup, Benelux Cup, Home Nations, an Asian Tri‐Nation series.

Tier 3A

Established bilateral competition between national representative teams from two Member countries in Open, Senior or Youth Divisions.
Example: Trans Tasman series between Australia and New Zealand.

Tier 3B

Developmental, bilateral competition between national representative teams from two Member countries and/or Developing Nations in Open, Senior or Youth Divisions.
Examples: Inaugural Germany vs Austria cross‐border challenge or the initial series between England and France.

Tier 3B also includes competition between any national representative team (touring or hosting) from one Member country and a team from another Member country / or Developing Nation other than a national representative team.
Examples: Competition between a touring National team and a district team or a hosting National team and a touring development squad.

Tier 4A

World Club Championships or Regional Championships International Club competitions. This tier also includes World Schools Championships.

Tier 4B

Major or Regional club competitions, with more than twenty (20) registered teams, with non‐national teams from more than one Member country and at which 50% or more of competing teams are international teams.

Tier 5

All other international competitions administered, fostered and conducted outside the framework of the Federation and whose objectives are aligned with those of the Federation.
Examples: World Masters Games, Regional University Games or South Pacific Games.

Domestic Tournament

Domestic Tournaments are run by Member Nations and fall outside of the FIT Event Classification Policy.