Brent Tate Appointed to Touch Football Australia Board

28 Jun 2016 by Lauren Pritchard

Former Test, Origin and NRL player Brent Tate has been appointed, as one of the Australian Rugby League Commission’s (ARLC) nominees to the Touch Football Australia (TFA) Board.

Tate, who played 229 NRL matches – for the Brisbane Broncos, the Warriors and North Queensland Cowboys – 23 matches for Queensland and 26 matches for Australia, will join NRL CEO Todd Greenberg as ARLC representatives on the TFA board.

“Brent brings the capability, values and profile that will be of great benefit to TFA. He is a strong advocate for the NRL and Touch Football partnership and a great choice to take on this important role,” Mr Greenberg said.

“It will also be beneficial to have further representation from Queensland, where so many Touch Football participants reside.

“The NRL’s partnership with Touch Football Australia is incredibly important in both promoting active sport participation and broadening the opportunity for more people to be part of the rugby league community. Brent’s appointment will further support the achievement of these outcomes.”

Tate said he was excited about taking on such an important role.

“This is a great opportunity for me and it’s an area that I’ve got a real passion for,” said Tate. “Touch Football Australia is a strong and growing organisation and there are some great people involved.

“I’m looking forward to adding my experience and ensuring that as many people as possible are playing Touch Football and Rugby League across the country, and that the relationship between TFA and the NRL continues to prosper.”

Tate’s appointment to the board follows a number of significant announcements for Touch Football Australia, including:

· The co-location of Touch Football Australia and QLD Touch Football staff in a joint NRL/QRL facility in Brisbane;

· A partnership between the Melbourne Storm and TFA, to assist fan and participation growth in Victoria;

· TFA voting to modernise its governance and move to a company structure which recognises the ARLC as a partner.

Touch Football Australia CEO Colm Maguire said the strategic significance of the Touch Football Australia and NRL partnership had never been stronger.

“We are delighted to welcome Brent’s appointment to the TFA Board and believe him to be an outstanding choice and contributor to the sport in coming years,” Maguire said.

“Certainly, with the advent of our new Strategic Plan, we have been working very closely in partnership with the NRL on the Board appointment, the co-location of staff in the joint facility in Queensland and other key strategic areas.

“We continue to see more and more NRL talent on show and in form emerging from Touch Football including Bevan French, Ash Taylor, Shaun Johnson and Benji Marshall, highlighting not only the pathway but also the partnership in action.”