Further information can be obtained from the Media Release and Memo.

This year’s championships will see Karratha returning to defend their title not only as North West Mixed Open champions but also state champions, although this year Broome looks to be strong contenders at the championships entering an extraordinary eight teams into this year’s tournament. Four Broome teams will contest the Under 18’s divisions, while the Mixed ‘B’ division will see three teams from Broome and one from Hedland battle it out.

The 2012 event will see the inaugural North West Affiliate Development Conference run in conjunction with the North West Championships taking place from Friday through to Sunday. This exciting new program will enable an expanded and more interactive approach by Touch Football Western Australia in improving all aspects of Touch Football in the North West areas of Western Australia, with affiliates Broome, Port Headland and Karratha taking part.

The conference will include a Level 1 Coaching course, a combined Level 2/3 Referee course, School and Junior Development clinics as well as administration and logistical development and education.

For further information, updates and results please visit the North West Championships website:

http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=14-935-0-0-0

The rules have been modified - it is four attackers on three defenders and there is plenty of touchdowns and fun.

Games are open to anyone and will be played across three divisions, Men’s, Women’s and Mixed. Participants will be able to play both Mixed and Men’s or Mixed and Women’s.

This is an event that should not be missed, entries close on Friday, 1 June. For more information and to register for the event, please click on the following link:

http://beachtouch.com.au/brisbaneopencompetition.html

To watch some highlights of the first Beach Touch event at Maroubra in January, please click on the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58EbsEiyrv8&feature=relmfu

Please click on the link below to complete the survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2012TransTasman

2007 and 2011 World Cup Australian representative, Rebecca Tavo will captain the side while 2003 and 2007 World Cup Australian Women’s Open representative, Bo De La Cruz, is another key member of the team.

After finishing runners-up to England in the recent Hong Kong event, the Australians will be hoping to go one better in London and will play USA, China and France in their pool.  

Touch Football Australia would like to wish the team the best of luck this weekend.

For further information or to lodge your application, please email careers@austouch.com.au.

To view the position description, please click here.

New championships which young athletes, coaches or officials can now apply for funding to help attend include international competitions as well as state school championships.

The grants are available under the Local Sporting Champions program, an Australian Government initiative aimed at helping sportspeople aged 12–18 to attend recognised sporting championships.

Successful applicants will receive a one-off individual grant of $500 or team grant of $3000 to help fund the cost of travel, accommodation, uniforms or equipment when competing, coaching, umpiring or refereeing.

With the inclusion of these competitions, the Local Sporting Champions program will recognise some of Australia’s most talented young athletes and provide them with financial assistance to participate in sport and represent their country at an international level.

Criteria for funding

To be eligible for a Local Sporting Champions grant, individuals aged 12–18 years (inclusive) must be competing in an Australian Sports Commission-recognised national sporting organisation (NSO) state or national sporting championships, a national or state school sport championships or be a member of an official Australian team endorsed by an ASC-recognised NSO or School Sport Australia travelling to an international competition. Please note that eligible sportspeople can only receive one Local Sporting Champions grant per year.

Candidates can complete the Local Sporting Champions application form online before their championship event. More information on eligibility for a grant is available at www.ausport.gov.au/champions.

Applications are open all year. Round 1 of the 2012–13 Local Sporting Champions grant allocation closes on Saturday, 30 June.

Whitsunday Sports Park, Airlie Beach will be the venue for the event, with three divisions on offer – Over 30’s Men’s, Over 40’s Men’s and Mixed (Over 35’s Men’s and over 30’s Women’s).

For further information and to find out how to nominate, please visit the North Queensland Touch website:

http://www.northqldtouch.com.au/posts/2012-north-queensland-games-17.php  

In recognition of this partnership and its intent, TFA Chief Executive Officer, Colm Maguire will be participating in the CEO Sleep Out this June in Canberra.  Not exactly the warmest place in June but this indicates the strong commitment to the charities outcomes.

“This is a fantastic initiative and given we have been very supportive of homeless fundraising in the past the relationship is truly aligned with our values. We have numerous venues in various states which have seen the direct impact of homelessness and anything we can do to raise the awareness and unite the Touch Football community around such a cause is beneficial. Personally, while committed to the cause I have to say sleeping outside in Canberra, in June is certainly a daunting prospect,” Maguire said.

We encourage the Touch Football community to swing your support behind our CEO as we look to raise money to support St Vincent de Paul through the CEO Sleep Out.

To view Colm’s profile and to donate, please click on the link below:

http://www.ceosleepout.org.au/ceos/act-ceos/profile/?ceo=1708