Touch Football Australia committed to strong global growth

Touch Football Australia Chief Executive, Jamie O’Connor, says that this summer’s World Cup represents an opportunity to demonstrate the sport’s global growth.

O’Connor visited the University of Nottingham’s Highfields Sports Complex during the 2023 Atlantic Youth Touch Cup to see the World Cup’s host venue in person, and believes both that the work being put in by the England Touch staff and the number of teams and nations taking part will benefit Touch in years to come.

Australia won eight out of the 11 categories played in Putrajaya, Malaysia, in 2019, with four of the finals decided by one try, and O’Connor added that the University of Nottingham has the facilities for the Emus to perform.

“We’re really looking forward to coming to Nottingham for the 2024 Touch World Cup,” he said. “The Highfields venue looks fantastic and the facilities available to our athletes will make sure they are given every opportunity to perform at their best.

“Chris Simon and England Touch have done a tremendous job in the lead-up to the event; it seems no stone has been left unturned and we’re looking forward to coming over and experiencing everything Nottingham has to offer.

“It will be the biggest World Cup in our game’s history, and it is really pleasing to see the global game growing. Our organisation understands the importance of a strong and sustainable international game and we’re committed to supporting its growth and development in any way we can.”

The Touch World Cup takes over the University of Nottingham’s Highfields and Riverside Sports Complexes between July 15th and 21st, 2024, with 190 teams from 39 nations competing in one of 13 categories.

To find out more visit englandtouch.org.uk/touch-world-cup-2024