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Teams from smaller and developing countries like Luxembourg,
Belgium, Hungary andCatalonia competedwith the ‘Powerhouses’
of Touch Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Country
representative teams travelled from Cook Islands, Niue, Japan,
USA and Singapore to compete. The total number of player
participants exceeded 1,800 and there were 97 referees involved,
in addition to the large referee coaching and management group.
Although some 50% of the match officials called Australia home,
other referees came from all over the world and the referee
contingent was proudly supported by Sportscover.
The Scottish weather was a little unkind at the front end of the
tournament and following a couple of days of ‘heavy drizzle’
the Opening Ceremony had to be postponed and Day 1 of the
competition was delivered under a very grey sky. The event
was conducted at the Peffermill playing fields and ten pitches
were in regular use over five full days of competition. Almost
450 international test matches were delivered and the early
start schedule saw matches begin at 7:40 am and the last round
conclude after 8:00 pm each night.
The Scottish weather gradually improved over the tournament
although the social and cultural experiences were always at a high.
Most teams were
accommodated and
2011 Touch World Cup in Review
Report by Dennis Coffey, Federation of International Touch Secretary General
fed at the one venue of Pollock Halls, just a ten minute stroll to
the playing fields. The grounds had been prepared for months
to withstand the significant workout and after four long days the
main pitch remained in excellent condition. Day 4 and the first
half of Day 5, at the back end of the event, saw the completion of
quarter and semi final matches as teams jostled for the coveted
Grand Final positions.
There were several highlights in the tournament results including,
Singapore Women’s Open achieving a Bronze Medal, Austria
Men’s Open winning a Bronze Medal, South Africa finishing third
in Men’s Open and Mixed Open and France securing a Bronze
in men’s 30s. For only the second time in World Cup history,
teams other than Australia and New Zealand achieved a Grand
Final appearance. England was credited with a Grand Final in the
Men’s 30s and South Africa made the Grand Final in the Men’s
35s. New Zealand won the Men’s 40s, beating Australia by one
touchdown as did the New Zealand Mixed Senior division.
The other Senior division Grand Finals were won by Australia,
who also secured the Senior Division Touch World Cup. The
three Open division finals were won by Australia, defeating New
Zealand in each and in doing so securing the Open Division
Touch World Cup for another four years – Australia has not lost
the World Cup since inception back in 1988.
The Federation of International Touch delivered the seventh Touch World Cup in Edinburgh, United
Kingdom during 20-26
th
June 2011. The largest international Touch event in the 25-year history of the
global sport was managed by a three-way partnership between the Federation, the City of Edinburgh
Council and Event Scotland. Teams from 27 countries participated in Men’s, Women’s and Mixed
divisions for the Open World Cup and in Men’s 30s, Women’s 30s, Mixed Senior’s, Men’s 35s and Men’s
40s divisions for the Senior World Cup.
For all match by match results see:
www.touchworldcup2011.co.uk
F
Insight