Touch Football Australia (TFA) has today launched its 2026-32 Strategic Plan: The Next Play, a comprehensive roadmap designed to strengthen the sport's foundations, innovate participation growth, and position Touch Football to thrive for generations to come.
Following a robust review in partnership with Gemba, a leading consultancy agency in the sporting world, The Next Play responds to significant shifts across the national sporting landscape, built on extensive stakeholder consultation and data-driven insights. As sporting demographics continue to evolve, and Australians find new and innovative ways to connect, The Next Play will guide the evolution of Touch Football to reflect the needs and ambitions of everyone involved in the game.
TFA thanks its members, volunteers, officials, coaches, and players for their passion and contribution throughout the strategic development process. Their insights and aspirations have shaped a comprehensive, forward-looking plan that ensures Touch Football remains valued, relevant, and accessible.
The strategy will be delivered across three horizons over seven years, with each phase reviewed and reported to ensure TFA can adapt while maintaining transparency with its communities.
TFA Chair, Christian Frost said:
"Our communities are changing, and the expectations of sport, including Touch Football, are changing with them.
"The Next Play positions our sport to respond to these shifts, making it inclusive, modern, community-driven, and built for real-world participation. It sets a shared direction for all our members as we work together to grow the game."
The Next Play is anchored by a renewed Purpose - uniting communities through safe, social, and meaningful Touch Football experiences, and a Vision that reflects TFA's ambition for the future: A game that moves the nation - dynamic, inclusive, and growing with every play.
To achieve this, the plan outlines four long-term strategic pillars:
- Grow Touch: Empower everyone to participate in Touch Football, regardless of age, ability, or background.
- Represent Touch: Inspire excellence through a world-leading elite system.
- Showcase Touch: Build a recognisable and commercially attractive brand for Touch Football.
- Nurture Touch: Secure a sustainable future of Touch Football.
TFA Chief Executive Officer, Marcus Ashcroft said:
"The Next Play will provide us with a clear blueprint for the next seven years to modernise participation, uplift governance, and build a stronger digital and commercial ecosystem around Touch Football.
"This strategy is about ensuring the sport remains sustainable and ready to meet the expectations of current and future participants across the country."
The Next Play also aims to strengthen Touch Football's high-performance system and elevate the sport's international presence, critical steps as TFA partners with the National Rugby League (NRL) in an exciting period for sport in Australia, leading into the 2032 Olympics. The expanded alignment between Touch Football and the NRL will drive sustainable growth for participants in key markets, providing more resources to support both sports' capability to grow participation and performance at a larger scale.
TFA NRL-appointed Director, Brad Fittler said:
"Touch Football is one of Australia's most accessible and inclusive sports. The Next Play builds on participation at every level, from grassroots to elite, while shaping stronger and more visible pathways for players, coaches, and referees nationwide.
"The NRL is committed to collaborating with TFA to elevate Touch Football domestically while also expanding its footprint internationally, supported by alternative formats of the game such as indoor Speed League, which has been recently piloted."
TFA invites the Touch Football community to review The Next Play by CLICKING HERE, and join us in our journey to grow, renew, and evolve the sport.
You can also CLICK HERE to view the official launch video, featuring prominent figures in the Touch Football community, including Australian representatives Chris Lennon and Bella Slattery, NRLW star Elise Simpson, and Melbourne Storm premiership winner and Clive Churchill medallist Ryan Papenhuyzen.
