Evolution of Touch

Introduction

Touch – the sport for all, is a worldwide phenomenon based on participant skill and teamwork, with a dash of fitness thrown in at the elite level. The sport is invasive by design with a history from Rugby league. Touch has gained popularity because of the non-contact format that allows participation by all ages and both genders, even in mixed form. It is ironical that the very creation of Rugby caused by the divide between Rugby and Football some 150 years ago was also based on non-contact – or “hacking” actually.

This paper looks at the history of Touch since it evolved just 45 years ago. The argument considers facts supporting the sport’s independence and compares Touch with other, like sports, some of which have retained a linkage to their forefathers.

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