2012 ETA Nationals

England Touch has announced a new format for developing Touch in England: the launch of an annual 2 day National Touch Tournament and the formation of 7 new regional franchises as part of it's player development pathway leading to National Squad selection.

This is the first major change to England Touch for players and coaches in a long time, and the ETA believe it is a major step forward to helping to develop Touch across the country.

The tournament will showcase the best players from each region and will be used as a basis for selection for the Opens and 30's sides for 2012. This tournament will increase players' exposure across England to coaching, improve coaches skills and lift the standard of England Touch across the board. The Touch Nationals will be the first time England Touch has attempted to select an England squad in such a way. The top performing players at the Touch Nationals will not only make their regional team proud, but will also stand a good chance of representing their country in the European Championships, being held in Italy in September.

Regional coaches and assistant coaches have been hand selected by the High Performance Team.

The tournament is set for 21st & 22nd of April 2012 at the excellent facilities of the Lilleshall National Sport centre. This is not open to any club sides, only sanctioned regional franchises are allowed to participate.

Squads around England are being selected as players prepare themselves to represent their region in the first ever England Touch Nationals competition.