Touch Football Australia (TFA) is pleased to announce funding from the Australia-Japan Foundation (AJF) to assist with the delivery of a girl’s participation and corporate development program in partnership with Japan Touch Association (JTA).

The funding was announced on Wednesday afternoon at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in Canberra, with TFA Chief Executive Officer, Colm Maguire and AJF Director, Professor Veronica Taylor in attendance.

The project will assist JTA to build governance, commercial and sport development models to set up the organisation for longer term sustainability. The project will deliver participation clinics for girls aged 12 to 20 in regional areas of Japan, as well as establishing longer term participation programs. The announcement follows on from JTA and TFA entering a Memorandum of Understanding in January 2016.

The Australia-Japan Foundation (AJF) was established by the Australian Government in 1976 to expand and develop contact and exchange between the peoples of Australia and Japan and to help project positive images of Australia and Japan in each other’s country.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the AJF, with Professor Taylor saying the organisation was excited to receive TFA’s application.

“It is a fantastic project so here is Touch Football Australia partnering with their Japanese counterpart sharing expertise about how to manage and an emerging sport in Japan, but also taking that sport out to regional areas in Japan and really putting the emphasis on gender participation, building girls capacity in a new sport and doing something that is fresh and new and really showcases something that is unique about Australia.”

Maguire said it was a wonderful day to be involved in the sport.

“It is actually 40 years today since the friendship treaty was signed. To be here announcing our great relationship with Japan Touch Association through our Memorandum of Understanding going to another level through the investment of the Australian government and the Australia-Japan Foundation is outstanding and we are looking forward to the results we can achieve together both on and off the field.

“There is a leadership role that our organisation needs to play to assist all of the organisations to flourish and become better around the world. It is often said without a strong opposition, the best teams do not get better so we have a role to ensure all of our nations are sustainable and are developing both on and off the field. Japan holds a very special place in terms of our organisation’s heart and we are looking forward to working with them.

“We’d like to thank the Australia-Japan Foundation for the funding and their support of this initiative.”

Federation of International Touch (FIT) Secretary-General, Bill Ker, said it was very exciting to see TFA take a leadership role in developing the game internationally.

“FIT works hard to see the game grow across the globe, we cannot achieve the expected outcomes we desire without support from our senior partners and we’re proud to endorse the project and partnership that Japan and Australia have forged.”

A Japan Touch Association representative said the JTA is very grateful for the funding for the initiative.

“Touch Football brings people together, regardless of their gender, age, ability or culture. This program will create closer links between Australia and Japan and help us to celebrate our common passion for the sport and share our cultural difference.”