From the 1960s to the present day, Touch Football (known as Touch Rugby in some countries) has provided great enjoyment as well as significant health benefits to hundreds of thousands of players of all ages by providing well organised competitions and facilities.

As of 2023, some 700,000 people play Touch Football in Australia, with the sport continuing to grow around the world. see Countries that play Touch Football

Touch Football had its origins as a training drill for players of Rugby League and Rugby Union and a social game in schools. It removed the physical confrontation aspects of the Rugby codes such as tackling and scrummaging. This meant that people could play an enjoyable skilful team sport. A sport not restricted to physical attributes, gender or age. And one of the few sports where men and women can play together.

It is a low-cost sport as it does not require expensive equipment – just a field, a football and a group of players with an agreed set of rules. It can be extremely competitive in structured events or simply a fun social game. The game relies on honesty and the good sportsmanship of its players.

Touch Football is played by men, women, and children from the age of five to seventy-five and even older. There may be separate competitions for men and women, as well as mixed competitions where men and women play on the same team. Some competitions are based on age, especially for junior and older players. Open competitions are graded so that elite athletes compete against each other while, in lower grades, everyone else can play against opponents of a similar standard.

While a few local competitions existed previously, in 1968, in the city of Sydney, Australia, some former and current Rugby League players formed a competition and wrote a set of rules that led to the structured organisations that exists today. see Australia structure

This history will be written by those who made it happen and participated and will contain historical records, stories, photos and video. As well as written articles about the founders, associations, competitions, players and other items of interest.

Everyone is welcome to submit written articles and media. Please use the contact form to provide any further details, photos, stories, etc (or corrections), specially any history related to your region or club or to you personally.