Parent's Guide to Touch Football Australia Junior Touch Under 7-Under 18 2026/27

Touch Football Australia's Junior FAQ says touch is played year-round, but the main season is summer. It starts in July in Queensland and August elsewhere. Junior seasons usually run about 10 weeks. Games are 45 minutes, according to the same page.

Source: touchfootball.com.au/play/junior-faq.

Touch Football Australia describes touch as a minimal contact game with no tackling, so the risk of serious injury is low. Its National Junior Development Framework adds that touch needs no goal posts, nets or on-field equipment other than plastic cones to mark the corners and halfway points, which means less chance of injuries from running into or falling on equipment.

The framework says those running junior touch should take account of any medical condition a child has (for example asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, or heart or lung disease), keep fields and equipment safe, cancel matches or training if inspection shows the surface is unsuitable or unsafe, and make sure coaches or teachers have adequate first aid knowledge.

Sources: touchfootball.com.au/play/junior-faq and TFA National Junior Development Framework (version 2, January 2013).

Yes, in some competitions. Touch Football Australia's Junior FAQ says boys and girls can play together in some mixed competitions, though junior competitions are often specified as boys or girls only.

The National Junior Development Framework explains that touch is a minimum contact sport, so players are not put in physical danger when competing with larger players. It also says most junior competitions are single gender, and that affiliates are encouraged to test and trial what works best for them.

Under the 8th Edition Playing Rules, in a mixed gender competition a team can have at most three males on the field, with at least one male and one female.

Sources: touchfootball.com.au/play/junior-faq, TFA National Junior Development Framework (version 2, January 2013) and TFA Playing Rules 8th Edition, rule 5.4.

Touch Football Australia's Junior FAQ says kids need sneakers or football boots, and the team needs a Steeden ball. Clubs often organise shirts.

The TFA 8th Edition Playing Rules add:

• Uniform: matching team uniforms (shirt, singlet or other approved item, plus shorts and/or tights, and socks). Each player wears a unique number at least 16 cm high on the back of the top, with no more than two digits.
• Boots: light leather or synthetic boots with soft moulded soles are permitted. Shoes with screw-in studs are not to be worn.
• Jewellery: none that may be dangerous, including chains and identification bands or bracelets. Anything that cannot be removed is taped to the referee's satisfaction.
• Fingernails: long or sharp fingernails are not allowed.
• Glasses: spectacles or sunglasses are allowed if safe and securely attached.
• Hats and caps: allowed if safe and they meet TFA regulations.
• Medical supports: items such as knee or ankle braces are allowed unless the competition's controlling body judges them dangerous.

Sources: touchfootball.com.au/play/junior-faq and the TFA Playing Rules 8th Edition, rule 4.

Touch Football Australia's National Junior Development Framework says:

• Sun: participants should be encouraged or obliged to wear hats and protective clothing such as long sleeves, and apply sunscreen of at least SPF 15 on exposed skin. Organisers should provide as much shade as they can at venues.
• Long sessions in extreme conditions: touch sessions should not run over 30 minutes in extreme temperature (over 30 degrees) and humidity (over 50%).
• Clothing in heat: light-weight, light-coloured, loose-fitting and well ventilated.
• Fluids: children do not instinctively drink enough, so they should drink before, during and after play.
• Heat illness signs: tiredness, weakness, headache, feeling hot, cramps, nausea, flushed skin, fainting or excessive sweating. If any appear, take the child off the field, lay them down in a cool place, give plenty of cool water and cool them with wet towels or sponging. If heat illness is suspected, stop them playing and seek medical advice.
• Cold and wet: change wet clothing as soon as practicable and dress in layers.
• Lightning: do not train or play outdoors during a thunderstorm.

Source: TFA National Junior Development Framework (version 2, January 2013), Section Four.

AusTouch is Touch Football Australia's introductory program and the first stepping stone in the player pathway. It teaches the basics in a fun, progressive way, building skills, concepts and rules over the sessions.

It is designed for children with limited or no past involvement in touch, and can also suit the youngest players, aged 5 to 8. It is meant as a non-threatening introduction and a path towards formal competition, helping move children from informal school and social play into a club-based competition.

After AusTouch, the framework describes the AusSquad program as the link between AusTouch and senior competition, for young people aged 11 to 18.

Source: TFA National Junior Development Framework (version 2, January 2013).

Touch Football Australia's AusTouch Playing Rules are a modified set for the youngest players. They are optional: competition administrators are welcome to use some or all of them.

• Players: 6 on the field, with up to 3 substitutes. All players play every position.
• Area: 50 m x 35 m (half a full-size field).
• Length: 2 halves of 15 minutes, with a 5 minute break at half time.
• Equipment: 1 junior AusTouch football, 6 marker hats and whistles.
• Touches: the attacking team keeps the ball for six touches. Forward passes, dropped balls and late passes count as a touch.
• Acting half: cannot run with the ball and must pass it to another player before joining further play (stand and pass).
• Defence: the defending team cannot move until the first receiver has caught the ball.
• Replays: for minor infringements the referee may allow a replay (for example rollball infringements).
• No penalties: violent behaviour, kicking the ball and similar result in a restart of the set of six (attacking team) or a change of possession (defending team).
• Coaches: may coach on the field at least 5 metres behind the team.

Source: TFA National Junior Development Framework (version 2, January 2013), AusTouch Playing Rules.

Touch Football Australia's National Junior Development Framework says positions and substitution should only be taught once children have learnt basic game-playing skills. It recommends ten years and above for introducing positions and substitution, and for moving to more competitive formats, so children have time to understand why there are different positions and when to substitute.

It also says specialisation should only occur with children over the age of 10, and that once children specialise they should still get the chance to play in all positions.

Source: TFA National Junior Development Framework (version 2, January 2013).

Yes. Touch Football Australia says about 400,000 students take part in touch at school each year, and Sporting Schools programs are available for primary students and for Years 7 and 8.

For children who want to go further, Touch Football Australia says players can work up to Australian or state representative teams, or the televised NRL Touch Premiership. Its National Junior Development Framework also shows school sport nationals at 12s and 15s, the AusSquad program, and the National Youth Championships on the youth pathway.

Sources: touchfootball.com.au/play/junior-faq and the TFA National Junior Development Framework (version 2, January 2013).