Release date:  3 September 2019, 09:00am

Embargoed from 2 September 2019

TOUCH NZ LAUNCHES PREMIER TOUCH LEAGUE

New competition to bridge gap between New Zealand and Australia

Auckland, New Zealand, September 2019 – on the back of the recent NRL Premiership & inclusion of the NRL Touch Premiership Warriors men’s and women’s squads, Touch NZ has launched a new premier touch league featuring the best Touch players NZ has on offer.

The leagues purpose is to showcase the sport, provide talent ID and development for the NRL Touch Premiership Warriors teams and the Touch Blacks elite squads, furthermore the new league will close the gap in the level of play between current domestic tournaments and what is required on the international stage.

The league starts in Auckland on Saturday 19^th October, followed by two legs at Nga Puna Wai International Stadium in Christchurch and then a finals day in Auckland on Sunday 24^th November 2019 at The Trusts Arena.

All games will be live streamed and/or covered by SkySports at selected matches.

New franchises have been established under the banners of Te Waipounamu – South Island, Manukau Raiders – South Auckland, Northern Strikers – North Harbour & Northland, Metro – Auckland and Waitakere, and Barbarians – rest of NZ, whom will generate the four Men’s and Women’s teams that will contest the league.

A host of players from the Touch Blacks teams will be approached to play, including Touch Blacks Men’s and Women’s Captains Mita Graham and Dayna Turnbull, amongst a host of other existing and budding touch stars. Turnbull comments “This is the most exciting competition to hit NZ domestic Touch market ever! We can’t wait to be a part of this league which is revolutionary for the sport. The sky is actually the limit with opportunities in Touch at the moment. No tackling, no concussion issues & a great pathway for other awesome sports such as rugby, league, football, netball!”

Touch New Zealand Chief Executive Joe Sprangers is excited about the quality of the squads named and said he hoped the development of this new league would lead to a wider audience and public interest in the sport as well as developing our players and coaches to close the gap with world title holders Australia.  

“This is a huge moment for the sport of Touch in New Zealand and we are looking forwards to working with the new franchise bodies to further develop the sport & provide opportunities for young talented athletes from module to elite” he said

“Touch is such an entertaining sport and we can’t wait to further demonstrate that to the wider New Zealand audience through this new concept”

To arrange interviews with players, coaches or managers please contact:

Micheal King

GM Sport Operations 

Touch New Zealand 

Mobile: +64 22 074 3229

Email: gm@touchnz.co.nz 

For further information go to our Premier Touch League page (click here)

Article added: Monday 02 September 2019