COTA president Cathy Goodlock said the decision was “a no-brainer” when the two venues are compared with one another.

“Jack Brabham has great fields, but there is little more out there we can use,” she said.

“There is no reason for people to stick around after their games, and Waratahs gives players that option with the bar and clubhouse area.

“It’s just a much better option for us.”

Goodlock said the deal hinges on several agreements between the Waratah Sports Club and COTA, to ensure benefits for both parties.

All the club’s facilities will become available to any registered touch player, and said players will all become members of the club.

“With the proposed redevelopments Waratahs are planning it becomes a win-win situation,” Goodlock said.

“We have better facilities, they increase their membership. We’ll start with six fields available and next season that increases to 10.

“We haven’t signed anything, but it definitely has the potential to be a long-term arrangement. We see it as a place we could call home as a touch community for a long time.”

Waratah Sports Club president Darren Sinclair agreed with Goodlock, saying he sees it as a long-term investment in the sport.

“It’s definitely exciting for touch football and for the club,” Sinclair said.

“We’ll have 10 fields for them out here, six under lights, and we’ve got plenty planned out here in terms of redevelopments which will help us and the touch football guys.

“We’ve sort of come to a verbal agreement it will be long term. Obviously there will be a 12-month or so trial period but it’s very exciting.”

COTA’s junior sign-on is August 5, with the seniors registering on September 5, which is also the date of COTA’s annual general meeting.

The season starts on October 7.