A sports craze is spreading across the capital as mums, dads, boys and girls gather to play Touch
Men, women and children alike are gathering across the city, lacing up their boots and stretching out for one of the most energetic, exciting and sociable games around. Touch, sometimes known as touch rugby, is taking the capital by storm thanks to the capital’s very own, UAETouch.
Give it a try
Touch was created over 50 years ago based on the game of rugby league. The aim of the game is for teams of four or six players to get the ball past the opposition’s score line to generate points. The ball is passed between players, but not in a forward motion; the ball can be passed, knocked or thrown to an onside player, but passing forward is not permitted.
What is really attracting males and females of all ages is the non-contact aspect. Many associate the game with rugby, where tackling is very physical and, potentially, painful. With touch you simply, touch. Gentle contact from the player without the ball on the player in possession is classed as one touch; the team is entitled to six touches before possession is given to the opposing team. The game is fast, dynamic and engaging for all who play and watch. But how did this game land on our sandy shores?
Growing the game
UAETouch started in November of 2011 by John Larkins, president of the organisation, when Larkins saw how kids across the capital didn’t have the sport readily available and knew close to nothing about the game.
”When I arrived here with my family in 2011, I was shocked that schools didn’t offer it as a sports club or even an extra curricular activity,” said Larkins. “Coming from New Zealand, this is a sport that is known nationally and, I thought, internationally. That wasn’t the case back in 2011.”
Larkins started with one class a week at Brighton College with 15 kids under the programme name ‘Touch in Schools.’ After rapid development, the class naturally evolved into UAETouch, which now boasts almost 4,000 children and adults across the Emirates. And it’s growing, fast. UAETouch has now finalised the details for the first Middle East touch tournament, The UIC Middle East Touch Championship 2014 which will be held in Al Ain this November.
UAETouch also runs the Touch Academies Programme, known as TAP OFF. The development scheme is for children aged four to 16 years old and held every Friday and Saturday morning.
Larkins and his team recently partnered with Tsunami Sportswear as the official sportswear partner for all UAETouch programmes.
“This is a fantastic endorsement of where we have come from in the last three years & the quality of the programs we run. To be recognised by a global company is testament to that” said Larkins.
Currently there is no UAETouch facility. Space across the city is difficult to hire and as the company grows, the problem gets worse.
“Finding affordable space to train and play games is our biggest challenge right now,” said Larkins. “For the amount of players we have and the days we meet on, there simply aren’t enough pitches for our demand.”
Forward thinking
The UIC Middle East Touch Championship 2014 on 14th November will see around 45 teams from across the world converge to Al Ain Rugby Club for a one-day tournament. UAETouch also plans to attend the Touch World Cup 2015 in Australia featuring Men’s, Mixed and a Masters team. Finally, UAETouch has been invited to attend the U18 Asian Championship in Singapore, this November too.
With plans for future players and referees, there are courses in place from the Federation of International Touch Referees for school teachers to attend, along with other referee courses for students, parents and supporters of the game.
But what Larkins really wants to see is for the sport to grow here: “My dream is for one day to see a dedicated touch facility right here in the capital,” explained Larkins. “To have a centre, a hub, would be incredible for the game and most importantly the players and fans within the UAE. The sport is firmly here, we just want to have a place called home and grow the game.”
If you are interested in getting involved, visit: www.facebook.com/UaeTouch or email: [email protected]
Abu Dhabi Week spoke with 14-year-old Sophie Shams, an Emirati girl living in the UAE who told us all about why Touch is the sport to play.
How long have you been playing?
I have been playing rugby union since I was five, but I have been playing with the vets at Dubai Exiles for a couple of years. Last season, I started playing in a touch league with the Hurricane Ladies.
Why did you start?
Initially, it was just to keep fit and improve my skills set for contact rugby, but then I found that I enjoyed the game in its own right.
What do you love about touch?
I love the speed, agility and the making of quick decisions and that it is very tactical. I also like how it doesn’t matter about your age or if you are a boy or a girl, you can still play touch.
Is it physical like rugby?
No. Not at all. Some people bump into each other a little and you occasionally lose your footing but nothing like contact rugby.
Does touch help you with skills for other sports as well as rugby?
You have to have such quick, darting speed for touch and often in other sports like basketball, netball and football so fitness, stamina and the quick sprints really help win games.
If you could describe touch in 3 words, what would they be?
Speed, skills and teamwork.
What would you say to newcomers to the sport?
At the beginning, touch can appear confusing due to the many rules. However, it doesn’t matter what size or shape you are, touch is for everyone!
