ORANGE’S touch football community has the chance to rub shoulders with the best in the business when the City of Orange Touch Association and Wade Park, host the Australian open mixed team for an internal training session on Tuesday afternoon.
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The green and golds are stopping over in Orange on the way to Mudgee for the Trans-Tasman Test, against New Zealand, on Anzac Day at Glen Willow Sporting Complex.
The session will go for an hour and a half, during which time spectators can watch, and view Australian coach Michael Lovett’s techniques and drills, and see how the players prepare for a big game.
After the training session, Lovett and his players will conduct a coaching clinic for junior players and coaches, followed by a barbecue.
“We’ve linked up with Michael Lovett,” COTA president Cathy Goodlock said.
“They’ll stop in and provide Orange with a huge opportunity while in transit to the Trans-Tasman game.”
Development is the key for the clinic, Goodlock said, to continue the growing popularity of the sport.
“Ten years ago touch was a hobby,” she explained.
“Since then it’s developed into a genuine sport, which many choose as their first. This visit can only do good for that development, and for Orange in general.
“We have a huge amount of very talented players, and good coaches. For them to see how the elite players train and go about their business, they’ll learn a lot.”
Goodlock made sure to highlight the afternoon is not limited to touch players.
“Everyone is welcome,” she said.
“Experienced or not, we want everyone to come down and see what touch is all about.”
The internal training session will begin at 3.30pm, with the clinic to follow. Afterward, COTA will host a barbecue for players, parents and spectators.
