Scots urged to get in Touch with new sport

Scottish Touch Association president Peter Faassen de Heer will be a proud man today when the Touch World Cup gets underway in Edinburgh and he is hoping that the showcase event can further increase participation in the fast growing sport.

Over the next five days around 2,000 players from more than 25 nations will be at Edinburgh University's Peffermill playing fields at to compete in various categories.

Touch is a minimal contact sport with the emphasis on speed and teamwork.

Faassen de Heer said: "Way back in 2006 we decided that we were keen to bid for the World Cup and soon after the last event in South Africa in early 2007 we beat off bids from Australia and New Zealand.

"That was a big boost for us because the sport is absolutely huge in Australia and New Zealand, but we had put together a good bid and had held the European Championships at Goldenacre in 2006.

"I would hope that when people come along and watch this week they will get hooked on the sport."

Faassen de Heer will be refereeing at the tournament and will also have Lucas Von Hoff on his mind.

Von Hoff, who passed away earlier this month, was a great contributor to Touch in Scotland and Europe in his role as Director of Referees and Europe's number one referee.

In most of the categories - Mens Open, Womens Open, Mixed Open, Mens, Womens and Mixed 30s, Mens 35s and 40s - Australia will start as favourites given that the country has 800,000 registered players.

Scotland's best hopes may fall on the shoulders of the Mens Open team, given that they are current European champions.

• The Touch World Cup runs from today until Sunday at Peffermill, entry free.