Touch originated in Australia in the early 1960’s as a social game and training technique for rugby league.
It was not recognised as a sport at this time. However, the ‘Founders of Touch’, Bob Dyke and Ray Vawdon, formalised touch in 1968. The game became a fully regulated and codified sport, with the first national body for touch, the Australian Touch Football Association (ATFA), being established in 1976.
Touch quickly became an internationally recognised sport with local, regional and national competitions across the globe.
The governing body for touch, The Federation of International Touch (FIT) was established in 1985, and now includes over 30 affiliated member countries.
Touch is recognised on the international stage as a member of the General Assembly of International Sport Federations and is compliant with the World Anti Doping Agency regulations.
The first formal association for touch in the province of KwaZulu Natal started in 1996, operating under various names until the establishment of the current entity, the KZN Touch Association, in 2003.
The KZN Touch Association (KZNTA) is the governing body for the administration of Touch in KwaZulu Natal, established to create a single uniform entity through and by which Touch can be conducted, promoted and administered.
KZNTA is a member of the South African Touch Association (SATA), an affiliate member of the South African Rugby Union (SARU) and the Federation of International Touch (FIT).
