Young’s summer of touch football is well under way and the Young Touch Association is celebrating a major award which recognises affiliates who are achieving excellence across the state.
With 50 teams and around 600 registered players, Young’s touch competition continues to grow in both size and standard of play.
NSW Touch recently held their annual Touch Football Technical Conference in Sydney where affiliates learn how to improve their local competitions and stay abreast of latest developments in the game.
Young Touch jumped at the opportunity to gain valuable skills that will assist in competition development. The highlight of the weekend was the annual awards night which recognised the best players, selectors, teams and affiliates across the state.
Jess McInerney and Ben Cooper were stoked that NSW Touch had nominated them as an outstanding affiliate and were very proud when Young Touch Association were named the Southern Suns Region Affiliate of the Year for 2016 at the Black Tie Dinner held at Bankstown Sports Club.
We are now one of the biggest sports in town and continue to grow every season.
- Ben Cooper
“We have come a long way since Jamie Canellis and I were running the competition out of a milk crate,” Cooper said. “We are now one of the biggest sports in town and continue to grow every season. We aim to provide the community with fun, safe and social opportunities to participate in the great sport of touch football.”
The committee were pleased to have their hard work and dedication recognised and loved the opportunity to meet other affiliates from across the state who are achieving great things.
“The state conference was a great way to transfer ideas with other affiliates,” Cooper said. “We are proud of the product we offer our members and this award demonstrates that the state body is impressed with what we are doing. We would like to acknowledge the help that people like Riley Sohier and Pat Batiste have given us over the years.
“They have supported us to professionalise our association.”
Young Touch puts its success down to hard work, enthusiasm and dedication and a willingness to try new things.
The committee will continue to change their competition based on the needs of their sporting community.
Game Development Officer Pat Batiste attended the awards ceremony and was full of praise for Young Touch Association.
“Touch is very popular within the Young community with Young High School doing well in the NSW Touch All Schools Regional Qualifiers making State Finals for many years,” Batiste said.
“Young Touch Association have a great committee who have a passion for the game and work hard to make the Young Touch Association a great experience for all those playing.”
