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2022 – a year in reflection
As we come to the end of another significant year in the development of England Touch, the Association’s management would like to wish everyone in the Touch community a very restful, enjoyable, safe and healthy Christmas and festive period.
On the field our sport continued on its upward path over the last 12 months.
- England won more gold medals at the European Championships than in 2018 and retained our overall title as the best nation in Europe. The Euros was bigger than ever, and with four fields live streamed there was more opportunity to watch and support teams from across the continent.
- The National Touch Series was bigger than ever before, with clubs competing from as far afield as Newcastle, Canterbury, Truro and Wigan. Not forgetting welcoming our friends from Dublin’s Old Wesley, too!
- Galaxy London saw off the best clubs in Europe to be crowned European Club Championships, with Nottingham coming second.
- The University Touch Championships has a new look and BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) recognition, which is introducing the sport into new institutions. The autumn programme was completed in full, with three national events to come in February and March.
- We had significant growth in age group Touch, with a bigger Junior Nationals than ever before, and won three Gold medals and a Silver at the Junior Touch Championships in France.
- We launched our first ever Womens 40s national training squad to prepare for the 2023 Euros and 2024 World Cup. Forty-one players were selected, following a first ever Womens 40s exhibition event at the Nationals, and represents a continued commitment to providing pathways for players of all ages to achieve their potential.
- England was announced as host venue for a new international Youth Touch competition in 2023, the Atlantic Youth Touch Cup, as well as the 2024 Touch World Cup, the first time that event will have been hosted here. These tentpole events can help us engage with more sponsors and funders, as well as excite and engage more people in our sport.
- Appetite for personal development remains strong. Forty-five individuals attended a Level 1 coaching course, 106 attended a Level 1 referee course, 17 attended a Level 2 course, and 19 people took a referee coaching course. Having trained and qualified individuals across these areas is essential as we grow the sport even more.
A special mention to all of the volunteers across the England Touch organisational structure, both nationally and within the regions. We have record numbers of volunteers, without whom none of this would have been possible. Huge thanks to you all.
The same applies to the continued positivity of the entire Touch community. You commit your time to train, compete in tournaments, run clubs, support each other, introduce new players, the list goes on and on.
In other words, our successes are your successes and as the sport continues to grow then we can all benefit.
A massive thank you from everyone at England Touch to all of you who make this sport what it is, and have helped to lay the foundations for what will be an even more exciting 2023!
