Touch rugby, also known as touch football, began in Australia during the early 1960s as a non-contact alternative to rugby league. Initially, it served as a training exercise, offering a way for players to develop their skills without the high injury risks associated with full-contact games. It wasn’t long before touch rugby evolved into a standalone sport, thanks largely to the efforts of Bob Dyke and Ray Vawdon of the South Sydney Junior Rugby League Club. They formalised the rules and founded the South Sydney Touch Football Club in 1968, marking the birth of organised touch rugby.
The first official competitions in touch rugby were held in Sydney in 1969, rapidly gaining popularity across Australia. By 1973, the game had spread to Brisbane, and by 1975, it was played in New Zealand. As the game’s popularity grew, the Australian Touch Football Association was established in 1976 to oversee the sport and set standardised rules.
One pivotal moment in touch rugby’s rise came in 1977, when a touch rugby exhibition match was held before a major Rugby League Grand Final rematch in Sydney. With a crowd of over 40,000 spectators, this match provided tremendous exposure and helped touch rugby gain mainstream recognition in Australia. Another landmark was a match between a Sydney Metropolitan Touch side and a visiting Great Britain rugby league team in 1978, further boosting the sport’s profile.
Global Expansion and Formalisation
The game's growth led to the creation of the Federation of International Touch (FIT) in 1985, the global governing body that has overseen its international expansion ever since. The FIT organised the first Touch World Cup in 1991, an event that included teams from around ten countries. Today, FIT includes over 50 member nations, with international competitions held across the globe.
Touch rugby has grown particularly strong in the South Pacific region, with Australia and New Zealand as dominant players, but the game has also flourished in Europe, particularly the United Kingdom. As of today, countries from every continent, including Japan, South Africa, the United States, Lebanon, and many Pacific Island nations, have strong touch rugby communities.
The Game Today
Today, touch rugby is celebrated as an inclusive, accessible sport with wide appeal due to its focus on agility, teamwork, and non-contact play. It continues to grow as a global sport, with leagues, tournaments, and national teams for youth, adults, and seniors. The game’s low risk of injury and adaptability make it ideal for people of all ages, promoting lifelong fitness, community, and camaraderie.
This journey from a simple training drill to a global sport speaks to the universal appeal of touch rugby, a game now woven into the sporting cultures of countries worldwide.
