Welcome to the official website of the Scottish Touch Association (STA).
The STA is the national body set up to promote and develop the sport of Touch (also known as Touch Rugby) in Scotland.
Scottish Touch national team coaches
The Scottish Touch Association is seeking applications for Head Coach and Assistant Coach positions for the Scottish teams for the 2010 European Championships (Euros) in Bristol from 22-25 July 2010.
The successful applicants will be responsible for one of the several Scottish teams competing at the Euros. This will involve creating and implementing a clear season plan for developing the team and the individual players within it, setting and communicating a clear coaching philosophy for the team, setting challenging but achievable goals for the team and deadlines for those goals, monitoring team and individual progress, and management of support staff.
Head Coaches will work with their Assistant Coaches and team managers. They will report directly to the STA’s National Squad Coaching Directors (NSCDs), as well as liaising when necessary with the National Squad Management Committee (NSMC) and the overall squad Tour Manager for the tournament. Assistant Coaches will work with their Head Coaches and Team Manager, reporting directly to their Head Coach and indirectly to the NSCDs. Their exact job description will be developed in discussion with their Head Coach and agreed no later than one month after appointment, and will be signed off by the NSCDs.
Applications close on 30 October 2009 and the STA aims to make appointments by the beginning of December 2009. Applications forms and more detailed job descriptions can be obtained by emailing nsmc@scottishtouch.org.uk
Enquiries for further information are welcome. Please contact the NSMC via the email address above in the first instance.
Scottish Touch Tour Manager – Euros 2010
The Scottish Touch Association is seeking applications from individuals interested in a Tour Manager position with the Scottish teams for the 2010 European Championships in Bristol from 22-25 July 2010.
The successful applicant will assist the National Squad Management Committee (NSMC) with preparations for the Scotland Touch teams’ participation at the European Championships (Euros). This will involve logistical planning, finalising travel and accommodation arrangements, and liaising with the Federation of International Touch (FIT) and the local organising committee in Bristol. The Tour Manager will assume sole responsibility for the national teams and officials for the duration of the tournament.
The Tour Manager will work with the Team Mangers (1 per team), appointed separately by the NSMC.
The role will commence at the beginning of November 2009.
Applications should include the following information:
Twin titles cap off a top summer for Scottish touch
Scotland’s touch rugby players are celebrating a victorious summer, having won two international titles and completing a successful development programme.
The country’s senior players have brought home the silverware this year. At the Home Nations tournament, in Glasgow this month, the Scotland Men’s 35 team were crowned Masters champions after defeating Ireland 4-3 in the final.
This followed the Scotland Women’s 30s team success in late July, when they beat the best sides in continental Europe to win the Women’s Open title at the Mainland Cup in Heidelberg, Germany.
Scotland’s other sides also performed well, with the Men’s Open and Men’s 30s sides coming second in their divisions in Glasgow, and the Women’s Open coming third.
The Home Nations tournament, held in Scotland for the first time since 2005, saw 21 international teams and almost 300 players from Scotland, Wales, Jersey, Ireland and England competing across a number of divisions at the Hughenden rugby grounds, home of Hillhead Jordanhill RFC. The tournament saw 41 games of international touch being played over almost 10 hours, as the UK and Ireland’s best sides met.
As well as picking up silverware the summer, the Scottish Touch Association used this summer to blood many new players and improve the squad’s preparation ahead of next year’s European Championships in England and the 2011 Touch World Cup in Edinburgh.
The STA sent a development squad to Heidelberg, introduced new caps into all the international sides, and also entered a largely inexperienced Mixed Open side at the Home Nations. In all, 25 players made their international debuts this summer.
STA national squad management committee chair Simon Ebbett said the squad’s preparations for this summer started in December, and the results showed in Heidelberg and Glasgow.
“We’re very pleased to have been able to successfully introduce a number of promising new players to international touch, through both our development squad and our full cap sides. We’re really happy with the way those players performed. They showed they can play well at international level and that the future’s looking positive,” he said.
“While development has been a real focus this year, we’re obviously delighted that our senior men and women are winning international titles and bringing silverware back to Scotland. This reflects a lot of hard work by players, coaches and support staff, and we are looking forward to doing even better next year.”
Scottish Touch Series (STS) Update
The Scottish Touch Series now approaches its fourth and final event, the Edinburgh Open on 12th September.
An impressive 33 teams have taken part in the three events so far, the Stirling Open, the Glasgow Open and the Aberdeen Summer Tournament.
The majority of the top ten in the league as it stands have taken part in all events, racking up some impressive point scoring. The full table is published here
After taking top spot in both Glasgow and Aberdeen we have the Meerkats as league leaders, the talent and depth of their squad proving crucial. They are just two points above previous leaders,
the Glasgow-based Spiders, who claimed the winner's Cup at Stirling, the most competitive of the three tournaments so far. This was followed by third place at home and second place up north. It looks like it's going to be a straight battle between the two when we reach Edinburgh.
Following up in third are Stirling's Wallace Monumentals, whose Shield win at home and consistent scoring in the two other events gives them a slight lead over the strength of Six Pack, who unfortunately didn't make it to Aberdeen.
Energen Guerillas, hailing from Aberdeen, have put in some serious miles to compete well in each event and they share fourth spot with Six Pack.
Newcomers Superhands claimed their first silverware in Aberdeen, winning the Quaich, and that puts them a single point ahead of another well-travelled Aberdeen side, the Leopards. Following behind Leopards we have Glasgow Lions, who continue their steady development of new players.
Our sole English competitors, the ever-popular Blackadders, hold ninth spot and we hope see a few more sides from across the border joining us in Edinburgh.
So as we approach the final hurdle it looks like a straight battle for the winner's trophy between Meerkats and Spiders, leaving third spot wide open to any one of a number of teams. On the day anything can happen, so be sure to get your team entry in for Edinburgh on September 12th. Entries available from EO2009@touchsuperleague.org.uk
activitymix Corporate Touch Challenge
The STA provided technical help, coaching and referees at the activitymix Corporate Touch Challenge held at Marine Drive, Edinburgh on Saturday 13 June. On a sunny day punctuated by the odd sharp shower, it was Deloitte who won a tense final 2-1 against Edinburgh Leisure. Meantime, Wolfson finished third thanks to an extra time win against McGrigors as both teams dropped off to four-a-side. It was an exciting finale to an immensely enjoyable day's Touch for sides competing in the activitymix Corporate Decathlon.
If your company is interested in taking part in next year's Corporate Decathlon, check out www.activitymix.com for details of the events involved.
The STA is proud to announce the launch of the Scottish Touch Series 2009
The Scottish Touch Series (STS) will bring together well-established Scottish touch events into a co-ordinated series, allowing teams to test themselves against the best in the country across key events throughout the summer.
The STS will provide clubs and teams participating in established one day tournaments an additional opportunity for top level competition and the honour of being recognised as the STS Champions.
In 2009, the tournaments making up the inaugural STS are:
STA president Peter Faassen de Heer said the launch of the STS was an exciting step in the continued development of touch in Scotland.
‘The inaugural Scottish Touch Series will provide an exciting opportunity for established and up-and-coming teams, players and referees to experience consistent high level competition over the summer and to battle each other for the overall title,’ said Faassen de Heer.
‘The STS will also provide a useful bridge between local leagues and representative touch and help strengthen the game across the country. Scottish Touch has made some major steps in recent years and I believe the STS is another big jump in lifting the standards and competitiveness of our sport.’
All teams entering any of the STS events will be included in the STS points scoring and league. There will be no restrictions on player registration for participation in STS, as team and player registration will be managed by event organisers at each tournament.
As well as there being an event winner at each tournament, each team will be awarded STS points based on their final placing at each event. These points are tallied in a league table which will result in an overall STS winner. This rewards teams for attending as many events as possible and consistency of performance. Points awarded will be consistent across all series events. This ensures no single event is deemed more rewarding to enter and no advantage given to a host region. The STS Champions will be the team finishing top of league after the scores from the fourth event have been applied.
STS Champions will be presented with a trophy, provided by STA. This trophy will be passed to the winners in succeeding years with winners names engraved.
Who will have the honour of being the first name on that trophy?
STS Coordinator for 2009 is Euan Kerr. Any queries on the STS can be directed to euan.kerr@scottishtouch.org.uk
Home Nations to return to Scotland
The Home Nations touch championships will return to Scotland this summer for the first time in four years.
The 2009 tournament will see sides from Scotland, Wales, Jersey and England compete across a number of divisions on 8 August. The Scottish Touch Association, which hosted the 2005 Home Nations and 2006 European Championships in Edinburgh, is hoping to hold this year’s tournament in Glasgow.
The Scotland squad will go into the tournament as reigning champions in the Mixed Open division, which they won at the 2007 Home Nations in Caerphilly, Wales, while England will be defending their Men’s Open and Women’s Open titles from that tournament.
STA president Peter Faassen de Heer said Scotland was proud to host the event.
STA president Peter Faassen de Heer
"This tournament is the biggest challenge for our Open teams in the run-up to the European Championships next year, and also ahead of the 2011 World Cup that we are hosting in Edinburgh:” said Fassen de Heer.
“This is the highest quality of international touch you'll find anywhere in Europe this year, so it will be useful development for our players, referees, coaches and managers."
Scotland national squad coaching coordinator Robbie McKenzie said the tournament was a great opportunity to begin the building process towards the 2010 Euros and 2011 World Cup.
“We aim to improve on our performances at the last Home Nations and last years Euros and mount a challenge across all divisions. Once again, the management and training of the squad has been improved and we hope to see these efforts rewarded with performances in the Home Nations," said McKenzie.
More details about the tournament will be confirmed in February.
For further information please contact Simon Ebbett on 07764 770 188
New head coaches for Scotland squad
The STA is delighted to announce that Robbie McKenzie and Dan Fitzgerald have been appointed as the new head coaches of the national squad.
The pair have taken on the job of National Squad Coaching Co-ordinators following the retirement of former head coach David Short after the European Championships in July.
Both Robbie and Dan have extensive playing experience and have been successful coaches of Scotland squads, including the current European champion Scotland Mixed Open side.
Robbie Mckenzie and Dan Fitzgerald
Edinburgh retain national touch rugby title against tough competition
Edinburgh’s touch players retained their place as national champions on the weekend but faced stiff competition as the quality of the sport continues to rise across Scotland.
The capital’s sides won both the men’s and the women’s titles at the Scottish National Touch Championships (SNTC), held at Stirling University on Saturday (23 August), to repeat the clean sweep they achieved last year.
However, the growth of the sport and the rise in standards across the country was reflected in the close games and tough competition throughout the day, in contrast to Edinburgh’s domination at last year’s event. About 110 players and 15 referees from Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth and Stirling competed and officiated on the day.
Glasgow’s men improved on a fourth place finish in 2007 to come second in the men’s competition this year, briefly leading Edinburgh Men’s Blue in the final before the Edinburgh team ran out 6-2 champions.
In the women’s division, Edinburgh Women’s Red overcame Aberdeen 6-1 in the final. The northern side came away with one award though, with Monica Coyle named Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the women’s division. Stirling’s Stuart Smith was named men’s MVP, capping a day in which the city’s side won its first game at this level.
Scottish Touch Association president Peter Faassen de Heer said the tight scorelines and high quality play throughout the day was a pleasing end to a successful year for the sport.
‘This event has a number of aims; to determine Scotland’s national champions; to further develop the sport across the country; and to identify new players who are worthy of selection into the Scotland national squad. I’m thrilled that the tournament has achieved all three aims,’ said Faassen de Heer.
‘It caps off a really good year for Scottish touch. We started 2008 by signing a Partnership Agreement with Scottish Rugby, which will see continued growth and development of the sport here. During the summer, the growth in the domestic leagues across the country continued. And in July, our national squad won the mixed division at the European Championships and also won two silver medals and a bronze to give us our most successful performance at an international tournament yet.’
For full details please see our press release section.
Scotland’s touch rugby players win European gold
Scotland’s top touch rugby players are celebrating their first European champions title and a host of medals after the country’s most successful international tournament to date.
Scotland Mixed Open Team
The national squad has returned from the 2008 European Touch Championships in Paris, with the Scotland Mixed Open side having won their division, the country’s two men’s age group teams winning silver medals and the Women’s Open side winning bronze.
The Mixed Open team overcame injuries to several players to beat the favourites England by 12 touchdowns to 9 in an action-packed final, winning Scotland’s first ever European title and gold medals.
Earlier in the day Scotland’s Men’s over 30s won silver, after losing 6-3 to England in that division’s final. The Men’s over 35s also got silver medals, falling 6-4 to Wales. The Women’s Open team came third in their division, recovering from a semi-final loss in extra time to Wales to then beat Germany 2-1 in the bronze medal match. The Men’s Open came fourth, after losing a play-off with France, while the Women’s over 30s team were there as an invitational side and ended the tournament on a bright note with a 2-1 win over France.
Scotland was one of 15 European countries taking part in the tournament, which takes place every two years and involved around 600 players. Scotland came third in the tournament overall, after being narrowly beaten to second place by Wales, with England coming first.
Scottish Touch Association president Peter Faassen de Heer said the national squad’s success reflected the preparation, hard work and commitment that the squad of around 100 players, coaches, support staff, and administrators had put in over the ten months before the tournament.
“This was the biggest and best prepared Scotland squad to go abroad to an international tournament yet. To come back with a European title and lots of medals – gold, silver and bronze – was very satisfying and a testament to the work everybody involved has put in.”
Dan Fitzgerald scores for Scotland
Partners of the Scottish Touch Association :
National Development Plan Approved at 6th AGM of the STA
Members unanimously approved the STA's National Development Plan for 2010-12. When implemented, the plan will see radical changes to the STA including its transformation to a limited by guarantee company with charitable status and the setting up of a formal affiliation structure, giving a greater role to the Regional Associations for the promotion and development of Touch.
The 2010 Scotland teams that will compete in the European Championships this July have now been announced
The competition for positions has been fierce, and it is clear that Scottish Touch is on the ascent - a great position to be a little over a year out from the World Cup.
The Scottish Touch Association (STA) would like to invite applications for the position of National Director of Public Relations and Marketing.
The STA is the governing body for Touch in Scotland and we are looking for a talented individual to join our current group of enthusiastic volunteers to take the sport of Touch to the next level.
Please note this is not salaried position but a volunteer role.
If you are interested in applying for this vacancy can you please forward your CV with a covering letter to gordon.mcewen@scottishtouch.org.uk
** Apologies as the wrong email address was previously posted for this vacancy - this address is now correct! **
Touch Europe Referee Courses 2010
Aberdeen
| Level 1 - 18th April 2010 | Contact Ray Martindale: ray_martindale@btinternet.com |
| Level 2 - 17th April 2010 | Contact Ray Martindale: ray_martindale@btinternet.com |
Edinburgh
| Level 1 - 11th April 2010 | Contact Iain Hewitt: ibh@blueyonder.co.uk |
| Level 2 - 11th April 2010 | Contact Iain Hewitt: ibh@blueyonder.co.uk |
| Level 3 - 17-18th April 2010 | Contact Lucas Von Hoff: L.VonHoff@fettes.com |
Glasgow
TBCAll Referee Events/Courses can be viewed and you can enlist on the STA Referees Facebook Group page:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=272883477944
All information for referees is posted there.
If you require any other information, Level 3 forms etc, you can contact me directly:
Ray Martindale
STA National Director of Referees
E-mail: ray_martindale@btinternet.com, rmartindale@aberdeen.oilfield.slb.com
Scottish Touch calling for applications for national team managers
The Scottish Touch Association is seeking applications from individuals interested in a Team Manager position with one of the Scotland teams for the 2010 international season, including the 2010 Celtic Cup in Edinburgh in May and the 2010 FIT European Championships in Bristol in late July.
Team Managers (7 positions)
Successful applicants will assist Team Coaches, the National Squad Management Committee and the Tour Manager as teams prepare for and compete at this season's international tournaments. Team Managers would be expected to attend the majority of training sessions to build a good relationship with the coach and players. The main responsibilities involve: disseminating information from the NSMC and Tour Manager to players, monitoring attendance, making statistical records for the team coach (if required), ensuring that players have read and understood all information passed to them, attending managers' meetings before and during the tournaments, ensuring that players know where all their matches are taking place and where they are to be at all times, and that they are adhering to squad direction on matters such as dress code and conduct.
All the above roles will commence in mid-April.
N.B. Because of the nature of team management on competition days, these roles are not suitable for national squad players.
Applications should include the following information:
- The position you are interested in
- Your full name
- Address
- E-mail and telephone number(s)
- Touch, other sporting, or relevant professional experience or qualifications, if any.
Please submit your application by 26 February 2010 to nsmc@scottishtouch.org.uk.
Suitable applicants will be advised and interviews arranged Successful and unsuccessful candidates will be notified in writing All positions are voluntary, and accommodation and travel at the European Championships will be at your own expense.
Touch World Cup 2011 - Invitation for expressions of interest
The Scottish Touch Association (STA) (www.scottishtouch.org.uk) has been awarded the rights to host the Federation of International Touch (FIT) Touch World Cup 2011. The tournament will be held in Edinburgh at the University of Edinburgh's Peffermill facility and this will be the first time the World Cup has been held in Europe. It is likely to be the largest World Cup ever, with men's, women's, mixed and senior teams attending from all over the world.
Event Objectives & Proposition
- To work with the existing Partners to deliver a World Class sporting event in Edinburgh.
- To significantly increase national interest in Touch and improve national development structures.
- To generate economic impact for Edinburgh and Scotland.
Expressions of interest
You are hereby invited to submit an expression of interest for the event management of the Touch World Cup 2011. Expressions of interest will be considered from both individuals as well as registered companies.
Tournament Format
The STA proposes to hold the World Cup from 22nd to 26th June 2011. We believe that the hosting of the tournament in school term time can add an important element to the development of Touch in Scotland and are including a youth tournament for local schools prior to the opening ceremony.
The World Cup will take place over four/five days and will include an opening ceremony, round robin groups and finals.
We anticipate that the World Cup will be attended by (approximately):
- 49 male teams / 21 female teams / 37 mixed teams (teams comprising squads of up to 15 players);
- 1600 players and 300 support staff;
- 80-100 male and female referees; and
- 1,250 spectators
Event management requirements
The following are considered to be core requirements:
- Establish a key point of contact for all participating nations and FIT;
- Registration of teams and players, including administering entry forms and assigning accommodation.
- Liaison with the Federation of International Touch on the tournament schedule;
- Liaison with Edinburgh First re accommodation bookings;
- Arrangement of transport from University accommodation to tournament venue;
- Recruitment and supervision of volunteers;
- Arrangement of Opening Ceremony and Closing Function
- Co-ordination and Distribution of Local Information Packs
- Production and execution of a detailed operations plan.
Scope of Work
The contractor will be expected to deliver on the following areas.
- Area - Suggest topics that should be considered
- Operations - Identification of Tournament Director in association with Federation of International Touch.
- Tournament co-ordination (working with the Federation of International Touch).
- Co-ordination of officials, referees and team managers including pre event briefings.
- Provision of general information and dealing with enquiries.
- Media facilities.
- Signage and on site communications, etc.
- Staffing of liaison officers and other volunteers.
- Contingencies and risk assessment.
- Facilities - Co-ordination of accommodation and catering bookings with Edinburgh First.
- Showers, toilets, changing, storage and team rest areas.
- Security and all health and safety requirements (i.e. medical support, inclusion of limited physiotherapy support).
- Services - Bar and public catering.
- Merchandise.
- Laundry arrangements (in association with Edinburgh First).
- Liaison - With LOC and the University of Edinburgh to ensure smooth transfer of players and information (bulletin board info at accommodation and playing venue).
- Budget Management - To manage the agreed budget.
- Local PR and Marketing - To raise awareness of festival locally.
- Development and management of dedicated website.
- Liaison with potential broadcasters.
- Legacy - The promotion of Touch in Scotland and particularly youth development through the involvement of local schools and rugby clubs. Participating nations will be expected to make themselves available for a coaching clinic at a designated school. This will be done in association with City of Edinburgh Council's sports team.
- Additional Income opportunities - Sponsorship - the opportunity exists to sell both the title sponsorship (at an appropriate level) and subsidiary sponsorships for this event.
- Merchandise & licensing - opportunities exist to sell space to identified retailers/ promoters at the event (including on-line merchandising)
It is envisaged that the bulk of work will be carried out in late 2010 and in the lead up to the event in 2011, but that some initial work (particularly on webpage, accommodation and budget) will be required immediately.
Key Deliverables & Success Measures
The appointed event consultant/ agency will be required to ensure a number of key elements are delivered on time and within budget. To support this, key success measures have been identified:
Deliverables
- Event plan & budget (approved by LOC).
- Regular budget and progress reports submitted to the LOC.
- Event takes place.
- Post-event analysis undertaken and outcome report produced.
Success Measures
- Event delivered on (or within) agreed budget.
- LOC satisfied with delivery of event (measured through post-event feedback).
Project Management
The successful consultant/agency will contract with and be remunerated by the City of Edinburgh Council.
The project manager shall report to the LOC (comprising the Scottish Touch Association, EventScotland, and the City of Edinburgh Council).
Anticipated Commitment
Start Date - Approx. 15 March 2010
Role - Approx. 60 days from March 2010 - July 2011
Rate - To be paid as a daily rate and agreed at contract
Timeline:
Expressions of interest, including previous events management experience, should be submitted to Donna Finnie by 12 February at the following address: Business Centre C1, Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh EH8 8BG
Scottish Touch national team coaches
The Scottish Touch Association is seeking applications for Head Coach and Assistant Coach positions for the Scottish teams for the 2010 European Championships (Euros) in Bristol from 22-25 July 2010.
The successful applicants will be responsible for one of the several Scottish teams competing at the Euros. This will involve creating and implementing a clear season plan for developing the team and the individual players within it, setting and communicating a clear coaching philosophy for the team, setting challenging but achievable goals for the team and deadlines for those goals, monitoring team and individual progress, and management of support staff.
Head Coaches will work with their Assistant Coaches and team managers. They will report directly to the STA’s National Squad Coaching Directors (NSCDs), as well as liaising when necessary with the National Squad Management Committee (NSMC) and the overall squad Tour Manager for the tournament. Assistant Coaches will work with their Head Coaches and Team Manager, reporting directly to their Head Coach and indirectly to the NSCDs. Their exact job description will be developed in discussion with their Head Coach and agreed no later than one month after appointment, and will be signed off by the NSCDs.
Applications close on 30 October 2009 and the STA aims to make appointments by the beginning of December 2009. Applications forms and more detailed job descriptions can be obtained by emailing nsmc@scottishtouch.org.uk
Enquiries for further information are welcome. Please contact the NSMC via the email address above in the first instance.
Scottish Touch Tour Manager – Euros 2010
The Scottish Touch Association is seeking applications from individuals interested in a Tour Manager position with the Scottish teams for the 2010 European Championships in Bristol from 22-25 July 2010.
The successful applicant will assist the National Squad Management Committee (NSMC) with preparations for the Scotland Touch teams’ participation at the European Championships (Euros). This will involve logistical planning, finalising travel and accommodation arrangements, and liaising with the Federation of International Touch (FIT) and the local organising committee in Bristol. The Tour Manager will assume sole responsibility for the national teams and officials for the duration of the tournament.
The Tour Manager will work with the Team Mangers (1 per team), appointed separately by the NSMC.
The role will commence at the beginning of November 2009.
Applications should include the following information:
- Your full name
- Address
- Email and telephone number(s)
- Touch, other sporting, or relevant experience or qualifications
- Suitable applicants will be advised and interviews arranged
- Appointments will be approved by the STA committee
- Successful and unsuccessful candidates will be notified in writing
- The position is voluntary. Some costs will be covered, but the Tour Manager will be expected to pay a fee to cover remaining costs
Twin titles cap off a top summer for Scottish touch
Scotland’s touch rugby players are celebrating a victorious summer, having won two international titles and completing a successful development programme.
The country’s senior players have brought home the silverware this year. At the Home Nations tournament, in Glasgow this month, the Scotland Men’s 35 team were crowned Masters champions after defeating Ireland 4-3 in the final.
This followed the Scotland Women’s 30s team success in late July, when they beat the best sides in continental Europe to win the Women’s Open title at the Mainland Cup in Heidelberg, Germany.
Scotland’s other sides also performed well, with the Men’s Open and Men’s 30s sides coming second in their divisions in Glasgow, and the Women’s Open coming third.
The Home Nations tournament, held in Scotland for the first time since 2005, saw 21 international teams and almost 300 players from Scotland, Wales, Jersey, Ireland and England competing across a number of divisions at the Hughenden rugby grounds, home of Hillhead Jordanhill RFC. The tournament saw 41 games of international touch being played over almost 10 hours, as the UK and Ireland’s best sides met.
As well as picking up silverware the summer, the Scottish Touch Association used this summer to blood many new players and improve the squad’s preparation ahead of next year’s European Championships in England and the 2011 Touch World Cup in Edinburgh.
The STA sent a development squad to Heidelberg, introduced new caps into all the international sides, and also entered a largely inexperienced Mixed Open side at the Home Nations. In all, 25 players made their international debuts this summer.
STA national squad management committee chair Simon Ebbett said the squad’s preparations for this summer started in December, and the results showed in Heidelberg and Glasgow.
“We’re very pleased to have been able to successfully introduce a number of promising new players to international touch, through both our development squad and our full cap sides. We’re really happy with the way those players performed. They showed they can play well at international level and that the future’s looking positive,” he said.
“While development has been a real focus this year, we’re obviously delighted that our senior men and women are winning international titles and bringing silverware back to Scotland. This reflects a lot of hard work by players, coaches and support staff, and we are looking forward to doing even better next year.”
Scottish Touch Series (STS) Update
The Scottish Touch Series now approaches its fourth and final event, the Edinburgh Open on 12th September.
An impressive 33 teams have taken part in the three events so far, the Stirling Open, the Glasgow Open and the Aberdeen Summer Tournament.
The majority of the top ten in the league as it stands have taken part in all events, racking up some impressive point scoring. The full table is published here
After taking top spot in both Glasgow and Aberdeen we have the Meerkats as league leaders, the talent and depth of their squad proving crucial. They are just two points above previous leaders,
the Glasgow-based Spiders, who claimed the winner's Cup at Stirling, the most competitive of the three tournaments so far. This was followed by third place at home and second place up north. It looks like it's going to be a straight battle between the two when we reach Edinburgh.
Following up in third are Stirling's Wallace Monumentals, whose Shield win at home and consistent scoring in the two other events gives them a slight lead over the strength of Six Pack, who unfortunately didn't make it to Aberdeen.
Energen Guerillas, hailing from Aberdeen, have put in some serious miles to compete well in each event and they share fourth spot with Six Pack.
Newcomers Superhands claimed their first silverware in Aberdeen, winning the Quaich, and that puts them a single point ahead of another well-travelled Aberdeen side, the Leopards. Following behind Leopards we have Glasgow Lions, who continue their steady development of new players.
Our sole English competitors, the ever-popular Blackadders, hold ninth spot and we hope see a few more sides from across the border joining us in Edinburgh.
So as we approach the final hurdle it looks like a straight battle for the winner's trophy between Meerkats and Spiders, leaving third spot wide open to any one of a number of teams. On the day anything can happen, so be sure to get your team entry in for Edinburgh on September 12th. Entries available from EO2009@touchsuperleague.org.uk
activitymix Corporate Touch Challenge
The STA provided technical help, coaching and referees at the activitymix Corporate Touch Challenge held at Marine Drive, Edinburgh on Saturday 13 June. On a sunny day punctuated by the odd sharp shower, it was Deloitte who won a tense final 2-1 against Edinburgh Leisure. Meantime, Wolfson finished third thanks to an extra time win against McGrigors as both teams dropped off to four-a-side. It was an exciting finale to an immensely enjoyable day's Touch for sides competing in the activitymix Corporate Decathlon.
If your company is interested in taking part in next year's Corporate Decathlon, check out www.activitymix.com for details of the events involved.
The STA is proud to announce the launch of the Scottish Touch Series 2009
The Scottish Touch Series (STS) will bring together well-established Scottish touch events into a co-ordinated series, allowing teams to test themselves against the best in the country across key events throughout the summer.
The STS will provide clubs and teams participating in established one day tournaments an additional opportunity for top level competition and the honour of being recognised as the STS Champions.
In 2009, the tournaments making up the inaugural STS are:
- Stirling Open, Saturday 6th June
- Glasgow Open, Saturday 27th June
- Aberdeen Summer Tournament, Saturday 18th July
- Edinburgh Open, Saturday 12th September
STA president Peter Faassen de Heer said the launch of the STS was an exciting step in the continued development of touch in Scotland.
‘The inaugural Scottish Touch Series will provide an exciting opportunity for established and up-and-coming teams, players and referees to experience consistent high level competition over the summer and to battle each other for the overall title,’ said Faassen de Heer.
‘The STS will also provide a useful bridge between local leagues and representative touch and help strengthen the game across the country. Scottish Touch has made some major steps in recent years and I believe the STS is another big jump in lifting the standards and competitiveness of our sport.’
All teams entering any of the STS events will be included in the STS points scoring and league. There will be no restrictions on player registration for participation in STS, as team and player registration will be managed by event organisers at each tournament.
As well as there being an event winner at each tournament, each team will be awarded STS points based on their final placing at each event. These points are tallied in a league table which will result in an overall STS winner. This rewards teams for attending as many events as possible and consistency of performance. Points awarded will be consistent across all series events. This ensures no single event is deemed more rewarding to enter and no advantage given to a host region. The STS Champions will be the team finishing top of league after the scores from the fourth event have been applied.
STS Champions will be presented with a trophy, provided by STA. This trophy will be passed to the winners in succeeding years with winners names engraved.
Who will have the honour of being the first name on that trophy?
STS Coordinator for 2009 is Euan Kerr. Any queries on the STS can be directed to euan.kerr@scottishtouch.org.uk
Home Nations to return to Scotland
The Home Nations touch championships will return to Scotland this summer for the first time in four years.
The 2009 tournament will see sides from Scotland, Wales, Jersey and England compete across a number of divisions on 8 August. The Scottish Touch Association, which hosted the 2005 Home Nations and 2006 European Championships in Edinburgh, is hoping to hold this year’s tournament in Glasgow.
The Scotland squad will go into the tournament as reigning champions in the Mixed Open division, which they won at the 2007 Home Nations in Caerphilly, Wales, while England will be defending their Men’s Open and Women’s Open titles from that tournament.
STA president Peter Faassen de Heer said Scotland was proud to host the event.
"This tournament is the biggest challenge for our Open teams in the run-up to the European Championships next year, and also ahead of the 2011 World Cup that we are hosting in Edinburgh:” said Fassen de Heer.
“This is the highest quality of international touch you'll find anywhere in Europe this year, so it will be useful development for our players, referees, coaches and managers."
Scotland national squad coaching coordinator Robbie McKenzie said the tournament was a great opportunity to begin the building process towards the 2010 Euros and 2011 World Cup.
“We aim to improve on our performances at the last Home Nations and last years Euros and mount a challenge across all divisions. Once again, the management and training of the squad has been improved and we hope to see these efforts rewarded with performances in the Home Nations," said McKenzie.
More details about the tournament will be confirmed in February.
For further information please contact Simon Ebbett on 07764 770 188
New head coaches for Scotland squad
The STA is delighted to announce that Robbie McKenzie and Dan Fitzgerald have been appointed as the new head coaches of the national squad.
The pair have taken on the job of National Squad Coaching Co-ordinators following the retirement of former head coach David Short after the European Championships in July.
Both Robbie and Dan have extensive playing experience and have been successful coaches of Scotland squads, including the current European champion Scotland Mixed Open side.
Edinburgh retain national touch rugby title against tough competition
Edinburgh’s touch players retained their place as national champions on the weekend but faced stiff competition as the quality of the sport continues to rise across Scotland.
The capital’s sides won both the men’s and the women’s titles at the Scottish National Touch Championships (SNTC), held at Stirling University on Saturday (23 August), to repeat the clean sweep they achieved last year.
However, the growth of the sport and the rise in standards across the country was reflected in the close games and tough competition throughout the day, in contrast to Edinburgh’s domination at last year’s event. About 110 players and 15 referees from Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth and Stirling competed and officiated on the day.
Glasgow’s men improved on a fourth place finish in 2007 to come second in the men’s competition this year, briefly leading Edinburgh Men’s Blue in the final before the Edinburgh team ran out 6-2 champions.
In the women’s division, Edinburgh Women’s Red overcame Aberdeen 6-1 in the final. The northern side came away with one award though, with Monica Coyle named Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the women’s division. Stirling’s Stuart Smith was named men’s MVP, capping a day in which the city’s side won its first game at this level.
Scottish Touch Association president Peter Faassen de Heer said the tight scorelines and high quality play throughout the day was a pleasing end to a successful year for the sport.
‘This event has a number of aims; to determine Scotland’s national champions; to further develop the sport across the country; and to identify new players who are worthy of selection into the Scotland national squad. I’m thrilled that the tournament has achieved all three aims,’ said Faassen de Heer.
‘It caps off a really good year for Scottish touch. We started 2008 by signing a Partnership Agreement with Scottish Rugby, which will see continued growth and development of the sport here. During the summer, the growth in the domestic leagues across the country continued. And in July, our national squad won the mixed division at the European Championships and also won two silver medals and a bronze to give us our most successful performance at an international tournament yet.’
For full details please see our press release section.
Scotland’s touch rugby players win European gold
Scotland’s top touch rugby players are celebrating their first European champions title and a host of medals after the country’s most successful international tournament to date.
The national squad has returned from the 2008 European Touch Championships in Paris, with the Scotland Mixed Open side having won their division, the country’s two men’s age group teams winning silver medals and the Women’s Open side winning bronze.
The Mixed Open team overcame injuries to several players to beat the favourites England by 12 touchdowns to 9 in an action-packed final, winning Scotland’s first ever European title and gold medals.
Earlier in the day Scotland’s Men’s over 30s won silver, after losing 6-3 to England in that division’s final. The Men’s over 35s also got silver medals, falling 6-4 to Wales. The Women’s Open team came third in their division, recovering from a semi-final loss in extra time to Wales to then beat Germany 2-1 in the bronze medal match. The Men’s Open came fourth, after losing a play-off with France, while the Women’s over 30s team were there as an invitational side and ended the tournament on a bright note with a 2-1 win over France.
Scotland was one of 15 European countries taking part in the tournament, which takes place every two years and involved around 600 players. Scotland came third in the tournament overall, after being narrowly beaten to second place by Wales, with England coming first.
Scottish Touch Association president Peter Faassen de Heer said the national squad’s success reflected the preparation, hard work and commitment that the squad of around 100 players, coaches, support staff, and administrators had put in over the ten months before the tournament.
“This was the biggest and best prepared Scotland squad to go abroad to an international tournament yet. To come back with a European title and lots of medals – gold, silver and bronze – was very satisfying and a testament to the work everybody involved has put in.”
Partners of the Scottish Touch Association :
11-06-2010 - Scottish Touch Association AGM 26th June 2010 New
10-06-2010 - STA National Development Plan 2010-2012 New
10-06-2010 - Edinburgh Touch first AGM 23rd June 2010 New
18-02-2010 - STS Touch Series 2010
18-02-2010 - STS Touch Series 2009 Results
21-12-2009 - STA Selection Process 2009 - 2010
21-12-2009 - STA Selection Policy 2009 - 2010
17-05-2009 - STA Annual Report 2008
08-04-2009 - Updated STA Policies Section
24-09-2008 - STA Annual Report 2007-2008
26-08-2008 - Edinburgh Open 2008
18-06-2008 - Stirling Touch Tournament Photos
18-06-2008 - STA Summer Ball
06-06-2008 - Murrayfield Touch Tournament Photos
22-05-2008 - All Players Tournament Details
21-04-2008 - Aberdeen Touch Tournament Photos
24-03-2008 - STA Cash Prize Policy
17-02-2008 - STA Events Calendar
17-02-2008 - Focus On Website Changes
30-01-2008 - STA Strategic Plan
30-11-2007 - STA Coaching Committee Newsletter
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10-06-2010 - STA National Development Plan 2010-2012 New
10-06-2010 - Edinburgh Touch first AGM 23rd June 2010 New
18-02-2010 - STS Touch Series 2010
18-02-2010 - STS Touch Series 2009 Results
21-12-2009 - STA Selection Process 2009 - 2010
21-12-2009 - STA Selection Policy 2009 - 2010
17-05-2009 - STA Annual Report 2008
08-04-2009 - Updated STA Policies Section
24-09-2008 - STA Annual Report 2007-2008
26-08-2008 - Edinburgh Open 2008
18-06-2008 - Stirling Touch Tournament Photos
18-06-2008 - STA Summer Ball
06-06-2008 - Murrayfield Touch Tournament Photos
22-05-2008 - All Players Tournament Details
21-04-2008 - Aberdeen Touch Tournament Photos
24-03-2008 - STA Cash Prize Policy
17-02-2008 - STA Events Calendar
17-02-2008 - Focus On Website Changes
30-01-2008 - STA Strategic Plan
30-11-2007 - STA Coaching Committee Newsletter
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