News - Oceania

Interest is high to have more competition between the nations of the Pacific following a successful Pacific Games event in Samoa.

In our second instalment, we look at the Women's Open division, and assess who has improved and who will spoil the party for a medal contender.

Who will win the medals? Who are the big improvers? Our correspondents have interviewed sources on every continent to make our bold predictions

The 2019 Touch World Cup being held in Putrajaya, Malaysia from 29 April will be extensively covered by BBC Sport

Joe Sprangers (CEO) today confirmed that New Zealand will send teams in each of the divisions on offer in Malaysia next August.

Australia took each of the three divisions on offer to take a back-to-back series clean sweep.

Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop MP visited the Australian Embassy in Tokyo, Japan yesterday to launch the 2018 Australia now initiative and promote sports diplomacy between the two countries with the Touch Football Blossoms in Japan project as the centre piece.

Touch Football Australia (TFA) is pleased to announce today with Touch Football Singapore (TFS) the confirmation of a second TFA international partnership agreement in the space of six months.

The Papua New Guinea (PNG) SP Sports Awards is the recognition of sporting achievement in the country.

It's been a long and winding road to the top for Dave Baggio.

The Australian Women’s Open stamp their authority over the Kiwis delivering the wider Australian team a winning majority and this sporting phenomenon a new found resolve…and if that wasn’t enough, for other International teams a sense of foreboding: a new and improved fortress.

The Australian Men’s Open side don’t skip a beat from their 2015 World Cup heroics, re-writing their own piece of history.

The Australian Mixed team claim game two and the series over a gallant New Zealand.

Courtesy of Bill Ker, Secretary-General of the Federation of International Touch

On the first two days of their tour Japan played Australia & New Zealand. This is followed by matches against New Zealand Invitational teams in Mens and Womens.

In a very tight tussle, it was Australia who somehow managed to keep their composure under fire and close out an amazing win considering they only hit the lead late in the second half.

Australia draws first blood in the Trans-Tasman Mixed Open series

A fitting tribute to a mighty fine and soon to be retired ANZAC ambassador and mate.

The scene is set for a wonderful International and Trans-Tasman series at the Trusts Arena, Henderson, Auckland with respective national anthems and ceremonies concluded and action underway with fine weather predicted for the week ahead.

Arguably the hottest Touch players on the planet went head to head last week when Australia's "Elite 8" series was held at the home of the last World Cup: C.ex Coffs International Stadium, in Coffs Harbour, Australia.

The d3 National Touch Championships were held at North Hagley Park, Christchurch between 4th-6th March 2016.

Following the successful hosting and securing of the 2015 Touch World Cup mid last year, Touch Football Australia today confirmed an historic partnership with Japan Touch Association (JTA).

The 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby have concluded, with Papua New Guinea claiming victory in both the Mens Open & Womens Open competitions; whilst Samoa has claimed gold in the Mixed.

With the 2015 FIT World Cup Open finals about to be shown on prime time TV networks in Australia this weekend, what better time to release the overall results and statistics from this record breaking event for all our member nations to enjoy.

The Federation of International Touch is pleased to announce it's inuagural Life Member: Mr Cary Thompson.

Having the Post-TWC blues? Be sure to check out the official Touch World Cup 2015 and Federation of International Touch Youtube pages to re-live some of the best moments from the fantastic event over the weekend in Coffs Harbour!

It was a near perfect day for the Australian teams on 2015 World Cup finals day at C.ex Coffs International Stadium; as the reigning champs from 'down under' claimed their 8th consecutive World Cup!

The Federation of International Touch and Touch Football Australia are pleased to announce the Official Charity Partner for the 2015 FIT Touch World Cup, the UNICEF Vanuatu Appeal.

Ahead of the Touch World Cup 2015, TouchNZ spoke to their very own kiwi referee - ranked #1 in the world - "Miah Williams" about the next challenge he is about to face.

Touch New Zealand icon, Peter Walters, will add further to his impressive list of achievements when he takes to the field for the forthcoming Federation of Touch World Cup in just over 3 weeks time.

To celebrate the Touch World Cup 2015 in Australia – England Touch are running a Fantasy League across their squads competing in Coffs Harbour.

Australia's National Touch League competition is no stranger to having international teams compete alongside the best sides in Australia, and with the Touch World Cup only weeks away, one of the participating nations is taking full advantage of the opportunity.

Australia has retained the Youth Trans Tasman following a comprehensive showing in the 2015 series, winning 11 of the 12 games played and taking 3 of the divisions in a 3-0 clean sweep.

The All Hallows Girls School from Brisbane, Australia, are currently on tour in Malaysia and having a fun time.

The group consists of 14 teachers and parents and 27 young ladies eager to enjoy playing and teaching Touch to local enthusiasts.

An incredible 84 teams have nominated from 21 Countries to attend the 2015 Federation of International Touch (FIT) World Cup (2015 TWC) to be held in Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia.

Recent information pertaining to the 2015 Federation of International Touch (FIT) World Cup has just been released by both FIT, and host organisation, TFA.

800 games, 125 teams, 28 member nations ... 1 Touch World Cup!

Have you ever wondered who is the most capped player in international history? How many touchdowns you have scored playing for your country? Or what was the highest score in the last World Cup? All that info - and more - is available in Thompson's Almanac ... online right here!

We've all endured the physical strain when a game goes into drop-off (extra time) and both teams get down to 3 or 4 players each .. but imagine playing a game of Touch Football for 30 hours straight!

Australia have reversed last years result, claiming victory in the Mens (3-0), Mixed (2-1), & Womens (2-1) to take out the coveted Trans Tasman trophy, and now hold a distinct pyschological advantage over traditional foes New Zealand before next years World Cup.

Touch NZ are very excited to launch their very own TOUCH NZ mobile phone app! Download the Touch NZ App to keep up to date with the latest news and events, find coaching tutorial videos right at your finger tips as well as a number of exciting features that Touch NZ members can benefit from.

The 2014 International Club Challenge was held on the weekend just gone, and with the temperature soaring, the heat off the paddock was almost as hot as the action on it.

The man universally known as "Mr Touch", Peter Walters, will be leaving the cold winter of NZ and heading to the northern hemisphere next week, embarking on a series of clinics and development sessions.

Please find enclosed the event overview for the 2015 Federation of International Touch (FIT) World Cup (2015 TWC), aligned with the attached Expression of Interest (EOI) form of which we are seeking a response by Wednesday, 11 December, 2013.

Only two weeks remain until the 2014 Trans Tasman Series will be contested between Australia and New Zealand in Mudgee, Australia.

Many people travelled from afar to attend the Trans-Tasman Touch Football series ... but none further than Robbie MacKenzie!

The Federation of International Touch (FIT) is the executive body for Touch globally and manages all aspects of the sport. One of the key areas of responsibilities for FIT is to improve the ongoing development of all female participants, including players, coaches, and referees; and another is to improve the ongoing development of all players at all stages of development. Introducing and developing Touch for children and youth is regarded by FIT as essential for the expansion and continuity of the sport.

The Federation of International Touch is pleased to release the fourth edition of the FIT Playing Rules, as a direct result of the hard work and dedication of the 2010 and 2012 PlayingRules Sub Committees.

Touch Football Australia is pleased to announce that Coffs Harbour, NSW, will host the prestigious 2015 Federation of International Touch (FIT) Touch World Cup.

One of the largest Touch events in the world took place on the weekend just gone, as approximately 5,000 players, officials and spectators took to Port Macquarie on the east coast of Australia, for the annual New South Wales State Cup.

On behalf of FIT and its members, I announce with a very heavy heart the passing of Dennis Coffey, Secretary General of the Federation of International Touch.

Australia's female Touch players continue to impress on the world stage, with four representative players this week embarking on another World Cup campaign - this time with the Australian Jillaroos Rugby League team.

No less than five (5) Australian Touch players are donning national colours in another sport this week, as they represent in the IRB Rugby 7's World Cup in Russia.

The Federation of International Touch wishes to congratulate Mr Darrin Sykes of Touch New Zealand, who has been appointed to The Order of New Zealand in the 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours.

With the Trans Tasman done and dusted, focus at the elite level in Australia now turns to the Elite 8 & National Touch League tournaments in mid March.

It was all Australia on the final day of the Super Trans Tasman Open series in Auckland; but unfortunately it was little consolation for the reigning world champs, as New Zealand had already taken out the 2013 Trans Tasman Open Championship on the back of their series wins in the Mens & Mixed Open divisions!

It's only three weeks until Australian & New Zealand teams will battle it out in Auckland in the 2013 Super Trans Tasman Series.

New Zealand have proven age is no barrier, taking on the incumbent world champions, Australia, and claiming the Masters Trans Tasman series in Auckland, with scalps in the M30s, W30s and Snr Mxd Divisions.

Australia proved too strong across all divisions in the Super Trans Tasman Youth series, taking the series with clean sweeps in the 18 Girls, 20 Girls, and 20 Boys, and a 2-1 series win in the 18 Boys.

It is with pleasure that the Federation of International Touch (FIT) announces the appointment of Erick Acker (France) as FIT President through until AGM 2015, as well as the appointment of two new FIT Board Directors: Mel Mallam from Switzerland (legal and international sport expertise) and Angela Calder from Australia (sport development and international sport expertise).

The Federation of International Touch (FIT) would like to extend its warmest seasons greetings to all across the globe. May this festive season be all that you deserve - filled with fun, laughter, and precious family memories.

A recent focus for FIT is a greater emphasis on global technical development, and during 2012 the FIT Coaching Commission was established to meet the "coaching" need. Mr Peter McNeven was appointed as Chair of that Commission.

The Federation of International Touch has pleasure in advising that the following countries have been approved as official Federation members: Argentina, China, Chinese Taipei, Luxembourg, Portugal, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Tuvalu and also Mauritius as an Associate Member.

When one thinks of Touch, thoughts generally turn to the traditional powerhouses of Australia and New Zealand, and the myriad of Rugby playing nations such as South Africa, Wales, England & Scotland. The last place to arguably spring to mind is an island nation dispersed over 3.5 million square kilometres, straddling the equator, and bordering the International Date Line at its easternmost point in the central tropical Pacific Ocean.

Touch NZ would like to congratulate the following personnel on their appointments and wish them well for the 2012/2013 campaign leading up to and including the Super Trans Tasman Test Series to be held in Auckland in February 2013.

The Solomon Islands has just completed their Inter-bank competition last weekend, with the finals won by ANZ in a sudden death drop off. All the banks, plus some corporate businesses, are now working with Solomon Islands Touch to submit an application for renewed FIT membership, in conjunction with also launching a corporate competition, proudly sponsored by ANZ.

Australia has claimed the 2012 Trans Tasman series after a hard fought battle against neighbouring rivals, New Zealand.The aussies opened their card on day 1 with an impressive 8-4 win over NZ in the Mixed Open division, before the kiwis struck back in the Womens Open to clench a tight 4-3 victory over the competition favourites. The Australian Mens Open ensured the day belonged to the green & gold though, sneaking home in the final minute 5-4 to give the hosts a 2-1 lead in the 9 game series.Day 2 saw the aussies take a 5-2 lead at half-time in the opening Mixed Open clash, only for the Kiwis to take the lead (for the first time since early in the first half) when it mattered most - in the final minutes of the match - and claim a 10-9 win to keep the series alive. After NZ shocked the hosts in game one of the Womens Open, it was up to the World Champions to step up to the challenge and try and tie the series on day 2. The result was another nail-biting match between the two teams, with Australia winning 4-3 in a high quality matchup. After winning the first game in the dying seconds on Thursday, Australia put in an impressive attacking array in the second half of Friday's Mens Open match to take the win 8-5, and the series 2-0 with one game to play. With the kiwis stranglehold on the Mixed division loosening, Australia took out the third game, and the series, of the Mixed Open division with a 10-8 win on day 3; Kylie Hilder, Michael Law & Trent Touma all bagging doubles for the victors.

The Federation of International Touch is pleased to announce the appoinment of their Board for the year going forward, following the 2011 annual General Meeting this week.

The Federation of International Touch (FIT) is pleased to announce the appointment of the FIT Referee Panel for the period post-TWC2011 up to and including TWC2015. The panel will be overssen by Referee Panel Director, Ian Matthews.

Australia and New Zealand's elite Touch Football players, coaches and referees will converge on Mudgee, New South Wales, in April this year when the 2012 Trans Tasman Test Series (TTTS) returns to Australia with the world's top two Touch Football countries set to continue their strong rivalry.

The FIT Board is reviewing a number of policies & procedures in coming weeks and we ask for your feedback on communications.

The 2011 Federation of International Touch World Cup has concluded in Edinburgh, Scotland, with Australia claiming the World Cup with wins in the Mens Open, Womens Open, Mixed Open, Mens 30's & Mens 35's. New Zealand claimed the Mens 40's & Senior Mixed; whilst England took the W30's.

Touch - the sport for all, is a worldwide phenomenon based on participant skill and teamwork, with a degree of fitness thrown in at the elite level. But where did it all start, and how has the game changed over time in comparison to it's early cousins in the other football codes?

The Federation of International Touch (FIT) kindly requests that nations please complete the 'FIT EVENT — CALENDAR' survey either by responding with your comments in the attached PDF file and returning the file to Dennis Coffey (Secretary general) OR by undertaking the online survey available at this address: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/W5N77WH

The inaugural Kingdom Cup Touch Tournament came to a close on Saturday the 30th of April with the Nukunuku Wildcats continuing their dominance of the Tongan touch scene by winning both the Mens and Mixed divisions.

The 2011 Federation of International Touch (FIT) World Cup kicked into action today with the action fast & furious across all divisions, and arguably some upsets amongst the first round of matches.

The 2011 FIT World Cup is just under 3 weeks away - and the action is hotting up across the globe as all competing nations finalise preperations for the largest international Touch event on the planet.

Please note there have been changes to the MO and WO Divisions since V4.0 of the Tournament Structure and Competition Draw — the latest (final) version is attached.

Hot on the heels of their Trans Tasman rivals, Touch New Zealand have this week announced their Open & Senior teams to take on the best of the rest in the 2011 FIT World Cup in Scotland during the period 20th to 26th June.

The build up to the 2011 World Cup in Scotland continues, with England and Scotland finalising and naming their representative teams to fly the flag in Edinburgh.

The 2011 Federation of International (FIT) Touch World Cup will see 92 teams,from 28 countries, take to the field in the pursuit of global dominance over the period 20-26th June, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Whilst the 3 Open divisions showcase the event, the World Cup will be contested across 7 divisions in total, and will see 439 games played across the 5 day tournament.

Touch Football Australia (TFA) and Touch New Zealand (TNZ) are pleased to announce that the 2012 Trans Tasman Test Series will be held at Glen Willow Regional Sporting Complex in Mudgee, Australia, in April next year.

The 2011 FIT World Cup is now only four months away, and the action is hotting up across respective nations as they prep for the ultimate global showdown. Whilst a lot of focus will be on the premier Open divisions, the absence of noted powerhouses, Australia & New Zealand, in other divisions will see the competition thrown right open .. with an opportunity for the overal World Cup to perhaps be 'stolen' away by another competitor.

Touch Football Australia is very proud to announce the players who will represent Australia in the Open divisions at the 2011 FIT World Cup to be held in Scotland in June.

On the 10th September 2010, 28 players (14 women and 14 men) from the Emerald Touch Association in Queensland, Australia, started playing touch at 2.00pm on Saturday and just kept playing to see if they could break a World Record. The first time ever attempted in the World! The day grew into afternoon, then into night - the lights went on, the music played, a talent quest performed and still they played... Into the night - to the wee early morning when the fog started to come in and the players put on a few wooly clothes, but still they played... The sun peaked through the shallow clouds, the physiotherapists came back to massage more players, the first aiders tendered to a dislocated thumb, sprained ankles and sore throats but still, they played...

The Federation of International Touch (FIT) is now calling for nominations to the FIT Referee Panel. The term of appointment will be for four (4) years. The respective appointment period commences post World Cup e.g. from TWC2011 in June 2011 and extends through to TWC2015 in Australia in 2015.

The Federation of International Touch is pleased to announce that the 2015 (FIT) World Cup will be held in Australia.

Touch is back in Tonga, and Tonga National Touch (TNT) is Tonga's newly revamped national Touch Football Association. The Association's first official weekly competition kicked off last November and has a month to run until finals.

The best up-and-coming Touch Football talent from Australia and New Zealand will be on display in Canberra (Australia) this weekend when the two countries meet in the 2011 Youth Trans Tasman Test Series, with Australia coming away with the series win im emphatic fashion.The Australian teams dominated most divisions, taking a clean sweep in the Girl's 18's and 20's, and also the Boys 20s divisions. New Zealand claimed some consolation through their win in the Boys 18's division, which they took 2-1.