FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME: Frank Ostini is entering his 31st year of touch football in 2012-13. Photo: JEFF DEATH 0925jdtouch01
HAVING just signed on for his 31st year of touch football in the City of Orange Touch Association open men’s competition, Frank Ostini and the mates he will line up along side couldn’t have picked a better team name.
“We’re The Relics this season,” Mr Ostini laughed.
“We have had lots of names but that’s what we’ve gone with this year.”
Originally playing with his under 18s Orange CYMS teammates in the early 1980s, Ostini said he and the rest of The Relics keep coming back for two simple reasons.
“It’s social and it’s a bit of exercise,” he said.
“We got a team going when I was a 16, 17-year-old and we’ve just gone on with it from then.
“It’s cool to watch the young kids laugh at you before you go out there and beat them.
“We might not have the speed any more but we have the experience.”
Mr Ostini isn’t the only one having fun with touch football in 2012-13.
City of Orange Touch Association president Kevin French said people keep coming back year after year to play touch football because they love it.
And this summer people are loving the game in their droves.
Mr French estimated in total, encompassing both junior and senior competitions, close to 2500 people competing in nearly 250 teams will play touch football in Orange this summer.
“I think with mixed it’s the family side of things,” Mr French said.
“It’s competitive without being ugly. It’s competitive on the field but once the game is over everyone is having a joke and a laugh.
“Also for ex-footballers that love the game but can’t handle the knocks anymore, it’s a great way to keep playing.
“It’s for the love of the game.”
The women’s first grade competition has doubled while the men’s top grade will be similar to last season numbers wise.
The mixed competition has also had numbers explode.
“The family side of the game has gotten some extra teams this season. We’re really at capacity,” he said.
“It’s to the point where we’ve had some sides we just can’t take.”
The City of Orange Touch Association season begins on October 9 with mixed touch while October 11 is when the opens touch season begins.