Over 300 Edinburgh schoolchildren were inspired by some of the world’s best touch players at the ActivCity Touch World Cup Youth Festival at Peffermill Playing Fields as part of the year of Active Scotland.
As a prelude to the 7th Touch World Cup, the young pupils were given a first hand introduction to the sport of Touch from the best in the business, including current World Champions Australia.
Pupils from Flora Stevenson, Prestonfield, Corstorphine, Dean Park and St Francis primary schools were matched with nations competing in the World Cup including Australia, Niue, France, Guernsey and Singapore.
Touch, or touch rugby as it is also known, is a popular and fast-growing minimal-contact team sport played by both males and females and by a broad spectrum of the community. Alongside getting young people active, the sport has numerous social benefits, providing an opportunity for boys and girls to compete together on a level playing field.
Commenting on the Youth Festival, the Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, Shona Robison said: “Touch is a fast growing sport and can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. It is a tremendous way of keeping active and having great fun at the same time.
The growth in touch over the past few years has been fantastic and is making a very positive contribution to our efforts in encouraging a more Active Nation.”
Peter Faassen de Heer, President of the Scottish Touch Association hopes the event will have forged relationships with schools, exposing more and more young people to the sport of Touch.
“The Youth Touch Festival is a great opportunity for young people to come and try Touch. It’s easy to learn, fun and it’s a minimal contact sport so a great way for young people to get active. With the links we have built up through the schools taking part, we hope to bring Touch to a wider and younger audience.”
Councillor Steve Cardownie, Festivals and Events Champion, said: “The creation of the Touch World Cup Youth Festival to kick off the main event is a fantastic idea – it gives hundreds of local primary school children perhaps their first introduction to the sport, as well as the chance to pick up some tips from some of the best players in the world, including Scotland who have volunteered their time to help out at the youth festival.”
Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer, EventScotland said: “The Youth Festival is an exciting prelude to the Touch World Cup which encourages and inspires the people of Scotland and its visitors to get active. We’re delighted to see that the event, which showcases some of Scotland’s most breathtaking landscapes, is promoting the benefits of an energetic and healthy lifestyle. It’s a fantastic example of why Scotland is the perfect stage for the biggest and best active events.”
