Touch gets popular

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 459, 27 October 1992, Page 5

Touch gets popular

By

JAN

SAVELL

The first games of the inaugural Waiouru Touch Football Competition were postponed due to snow but players made up for the delay with enthusiasm last Thursday. Presently teams compete in three grades; men's open, mixed open and open/social. Handicapping is used to encourage close competition between the open/social teams but organiscrs are hoping for a few more entries to allow them to run four grades, splitting open/social into a women's grade and a veterans grade (for 30 and overl.

"We'rc accepting registrations up to 12 November," said 'Ants* Patea, one of the organisers for the tournament. "We want to encourage more participation from the younger people, and more community involvement". Organisers will adjust draws to suit teams travelling to Waiouru. They will also be eligible for weekly prizes of petrol vouchers, as the organisers look for ways of subsidizing their travel costs. Ants Patea, Richie Stewart and Willie Maclntyrc got together six months ago to work out a format for the tournament. Thcir aims were:

to promote touch football, to promote Waiouru in the wider Waimarino and Wanganui area, to give a focal point for the community's young people and to raise money for local charities. The Oasis Hotel, Rhieneck beer, the Hot Bread Shop and the Shell Garage all agreed to provide sponsorship and word of mouth did the rest. "We've got very generous prize money which will be distributed at the conclusion of the competition on 21 January," said Ants. There are also weekly prizes of spon-

sors products and still the organisers have money available for team sponsorship. "We really want more women and school teams like the one from Ruapehu College. Touch is a game that anyone can play. Often women do better than the men because they stick to the basics, get more yardage and set up good running play for the faster players. The game promotes teamwork so it is really good for younger players. The 7-a-side game is faster than rugby or league with the touch (below the shoulder) being the only contact. And it is strictly a touch, not a push or a fend. Over

vigorous or aggressive play is penalized immediately. The relative newness of the sport means rules are still evolving. Each toumament will have its major rules that referees concentrate on. The major change in the last ycar i& the five metre rule. Defending players must come out five metres from the tryline to make a touch. This has meant touchdowns can be scored very quickly. Up to 14 players can be registered as a team, seven take the field at one time but the whole seven can be substituted. The entry fee is $50. For a copy of the tournament rules or further information about registration telephone Ants on 387 6111 ext 7103 or Richie Stewart 387 6138.