Touch football for kids and adults with autism

Touch football is football without the tackle. Players score by grounding the ball over the try line, and defenders stop attackers by touching them. The game is fast, involves lots of running, and is played on a smaller field than rugby league. For many autistic players, the absence of physical contact and the predictable game structure make touch a good fit.

NSW Touch and its local associations run All Abilities programmes under the Touch Beyond Limits banner. Programmes are delivered through community touch associations rather than centrally, which means the specific format varies from town to town. Some associations run dedicated All Abilities sessions once a week; others integrate inclusive players into their regular junior or social competitions.

Wallsend Touch Association in Newcastle has been running its All Abilities programme for several years and has 93 graduates. The Central Coast Touch Association runs an established All Abilities stream at Niagara Park. Maitland Touch Association also runs dedicated sessions. Bankstown Touch Association recently received a NSW Local Sport Grant to upgrade its All Abilities offering.

The Premier Inclusion League is a newer partnership between the NRL and NSW Touch. It runs from August to October and gives teams affiliated with disability sport organisations (including Blind Sports NSW) a proper competition to play in.

Touch football is particularly good for autistic players who like structured team sport but do not want the intensity or contact of rugby league. Sessions typically run in the summer season, once or twice a week. Fees vary by association, but most local associations offer their first session free.