BENDIGO Touch Football is lacing up for a new season.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, 6 October the competition will be hosting a come-and-try session for new players to have a go at the fast-paced non-contact sport.<\/p>\n
President of Bendigo Touch Football Tarryn Mcdowall said registration fees have been reduced for the upcoming season to encourage more people to participate in community sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis season we\u2019ve made a conscious effort of reducing prices for seniors and for juniors as well as reassuring participants that if for some reason we\u2019ve get to stop our competition that we are going to guarantee every fund for the games they don\u2019t play,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Senior fees, once $130, are now $90 and fees for participants aged 17 and under are $45, down from $90.<\/p>\n
Ms Mcdowall said while last season was affected by COVID-19 with a reduced competition and fewer volunteers, they were fortunate enough to hold their grand final, which many sports could not do.<\/p>\n
Bendigo Touch Football sees teams of six players take the field, with a ratio of four males to two females with two grades, social and competitive.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had about 14 to 16 teams in [the social grade] and some play with their kids, some are just playing with their workmates, some are just there to have a run on a field,\u201d Ms Mcdowall said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur competitive grade, it\u2019s pretty much anyone that\u2019s played for a few years, they\u2019ve got the skills already developed and they\u2019re looking for that competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe benefit of touch football is it\u2019s family friendly, our youngest player has been nine and our oldest player has been 80, it\u2019s been a huge range of ages.<\/p>\n
\u201cMixed gender means you get to play with everybody and in a very safe and fun, social environment.\u201d<\/p>\n