Teams Begin Arriving for International Touch Rugby
By Jeremy Burk
Contributing writer
Despite Touch being a low profile sport in Korea, the International Touch Seoul (ITS) tournament which takes place at the Korea Military Academy on Sept. 20 is attracting a lot of interest from all over the country and from overseas.
The team traveling the farthest is Osae, who hail from the United Kingdom. ``Some of our team have lived in Korea, so they know the reputation of the ITS tournament," explained Augustin Thomas, the lone Frenchman on the Osae team. ``We know it is a good sports challenge but it is the social side that is bringing us to ITS."
``We start and finish our visit in Seoul," said Osae's Ed Bonsey. ``And we have visited Jeju, Gyeongju and Busan, too."
``Now, we have to focus on getting prepared for the tournament," interjected Sarah Foxley. ``We are in the mixed section and we've been told that the competition is pretty hot!"
And the origin of the team's name? ``Wait until you see our team logo… then you'll get it," was the response from designer Sam Baron.
Touch is a fast growing sport enjoyed by millions around the world. While it has its origins in rugby league, Touch is a fast and exciting non-contact sport played by women and men, girls and boys. It is very easy to learn and requires little in the way of equipment, which is one of the reasons it is seeing such a rapid take-up worldwide.
ITS 2008 is the third annual tournament and this year will be the most international with teams coming from Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and defending champions Komae from Tokyo.
Tohru Ogasawara, Komae's captain, is downbeat about his team's chances this year. ``We have a much older team, average age is about 40, so we may not have the pace needed to retain our title," he said.
That could open it up for another of the overseas teams since Touch is better established and better supported elsewhere in Asia. However, this year's Spire Touch Championship in Korea has helped lift local standards. ``We will not be a push-over this year," claimed Roddy Bancroft of last year's beaten finalists, Seoul Survivors.
ITS 2008 is an all-day tournament, starting at 9 a.m. and finishing around 6 p.m. and will feature nearly 80 matches in four sections; Juniors, Women's, Mixed and Men's.
The tournament will be held at the Korea Military Academy in Taenung. The subway station is Hwarangdae on line 6.
As well as thrills and spills on the field, there will be activities for kids and food and drink for all. More information can be found on www.koreatouch.com