The NRL has locked in an inaugural six-team elite touch football premiership with games to act as curtain-raisers for first grade over the middle of the season.
Under the new look competition, six yet-to-be announced clubs will play in amateur men’s and women’s leagues, with links to NRL franchises and the goal to eventually turn semi-professional.
At this stage it’s understood North Queensland, Brisbane and the Gold Coast are all likely entrants, with the Wests Tigers also interested in being one of three Sydney teams involved.
The matches – to be played before a number of NRL matches between round 11 and 20 – will fill the hole currently left by the under-20s competition, meaning fans will be treated to two 30-minute games before the main event.
“Now there is no under-20s competition this year, this is a perfect way to spend an hour before the main NRL game, watching men’s and women’s elite football and a very entertaining way to watch it,” NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said.
“I think it will be an enormous success and I think people will really enjoy it.”
The games will also be broadcast, as the NRL continues its push to increase participation levels beyond 600,000 since the two sports merged in 2013.
It also comes after the NRL launched its four-team women’s league for the end of this year, where matches between Brisbane, the Warriors, St George Illawarra and Sydney Roosters will be played before men’s finals games.
MrJSquishy
Roar Pro
People who love league but don't want the body contact? I'm pretty sure they're called people who don't love league. I think this is one of the more ridiculous ideas I have ever heard of. The under 20's was a chance for people to see potential NRL stars before they are stars (yet, very few people watched under 20's). A touch footy comp is (in reality) a completely different game. I'd be surprised if anyone turns up early to watch touch footy. And anyone who does would likely leave before the NRL game starts...
Birdy
Guest
Great promotion by the NRL. Hope they don't stop there. Male , female and mixed teams should be entered.
kangajets
Guest
Touch footy has been around forever and is already played by many thousands of people I totally blame touch footy for the encouragement of one out running , because of the no marker rule , does that still exist? As for attracting new fans to a game to watch the touch footy ,, not sure about new fans .
On the Ball
Guest
This is a great idea! People who love league but don't want the body contact. It will attract a huge amount of new fans and player and give them an opportunity to play at NRL games. Well played NRL.
Big Daddy
Guest
But strange this one. Obviously touch football has been around for decades and now they want to reinvent the wheel by putting this up to replace under 20's. Why don't they just play ISP and give the fans a bit of value. Reeks of being a bit desperate and once again east coast teams. Surely they can come up with something better than this. Shane Richardson has a lot to answer for.
jamesb
Guest
There isn't an under 20's national comp, but there is under 20's in both NSW and Qld State Cup competitions. In other words, the Jersey Flegg competition in NSW has returned after a ten year absence.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Applaud the initiative but question the execution. 6 teams? Why only 6? That means three games a week - He does know there are more than 3 NRL matches played each week? Question; Will these games be played as actual curtain raisers, of will they be finished 40 minutes before kick off in the main game to let the NRL teams warm up on the field which nobody needs to see!! If (hypothetically) the West Tigers are a Sydney team - are they only playing before West Tigers games? So if the Dogs play the Eels are they getting no curtain raiser or the Tigers v Titans in touch football before the game? Why would Eels or Dogs fans go to that?