Provinces battle for National titles as New Zealand's best Touch players converge in Christchurch
Masters National Touch Championship from Sunday 27th February to Tuesday 1st March
Youth & Opens National Touch Championship from Thursday 3rd March to Saturday 5th March
QEII Park, Travis Road, New Brighton, Christchurch

With support from ZM – Today’s Hit Music and Christchurch City Council, Provincial teams from around New Zealand will unite in Christchurch to participate in 16 different Grades, from Under 19’s through to Over 50’s as the Garden City transforms into the Touch City.

It’s been six years since the tournament was last held in Christchurch and the Canterbury Province will be looking to back up their overall Tournament victory last year with another win in front of their home fans. They will face some serious competition in a number of the grades from the likes of Counties Manukau, North Harbour, Bay of Plenty and Waikato who all featured strongly in the finals in 2010.

With the Touch World Cup to be held in Scotland in June 2011, players in contention for selection will be using the Tournament as their last chance to make their way into the final World Cup teams.
Shortly after the Nationals, selectors will name the following five teams that will represent New Zealand at the Touch World Cup 2011 in Edinburgh Scotland:
• Men's Touch Blacks team
• Mixed Touch Blacks team
• Women's Touch Blacks team
• Masters 30s Mixed team
• Masters 40s Men's team

2010 Provincial Title Holders and Runners-Up
Masters
Over 30 Men’s – Canterbury over Bay Of Plenty
Over 30 Mixed – Wellington over Auckland
Over 30 Women’s – North Harbour over Canterbury
Over 35 Mixed – North Harbour over Auckland
Over 40 Men’s – Auckland over Counties Manukau
Over 45 Men’s – North Habour over Auckland
Over 50 Men’s – Wellington over North Harbour

Youth and Open
Under 19 Girls – Counties Manukau over Waikato
Under 19 Boys – Counties Manukau over Wellington
Under 21 Men's – North Harbour over Counties Manukau
Under 21 Women's – Manawatu over North Harbour
Open Women's – Counties Manukau over Waikato
Open Mixed – Canterbury over Bay of Plenty
Open Men's – Canterbury over Counties Manukau

2011 Provinces and Teams

Auckland
Under 19 Girls, Open Men’s, Over 35 Men’s, Over 40 Men’s

Bay of Plenty
Open Women’s, Open Mixed, Over 30 Women’s, Over 35 Men’s

Canterbury
Under 19 Girls, Under 19 Boys, Under 21 Women’s, Under 21 Men’s, Open Women’s, Open Mixed, Open Men’s, Over 30 Women’s, Over 30 Men’s, Over 35 Men’s, Over 35 Women’s, Over 35 Men’s, Over 40 Men’s, Over 45 Men’s, Over 50 Men’s

Counties Manukau
Under 19 Boys, Under 21 Women’s, Under 21 Men’s, Over 30 Women’s, Over 45 Men’s, Over 50 Men’s

Hawkes Bay
Open Mixed

Kapiti Horowhenua
Open Women’s, Open Mixed

Manawatu
Under 19 Boys, Under 21 Women’s

Nelson Bays
Under 19 Girls, Under, Open Women’s

North Harbour
Under 21 Men’s, Open Women’s, Open Mixed, Over 30 Women’s, Over 30 Mixed, Over 35 Women’s, Over 35 Mixed, Over 45 Men’s, Over 50 Men’s

NZ Defence Force (Invitational)
Open Mixed, Over 35 Men’s

NZ Universities (Invitational)
Open Men’s

Otago
Open Mixed, Over 30 Women’s, Over 40 Men’s

Southland
Under 19 Girls, Under 19 Boys, Over 30 Men’s, Over 40 Men’s

Waikato
Under 19 Boys, Under 21 Women’s, Under 21 Men’s, Open Women’s, Open Men’s,

Wellington
Under 19 Girls, Under 19 Boys, Open Mixed, Over 30 Mixed, Over 35 Women’s, Over 40 Men’s, Over 50 Men’s

If you would like to follow the progress daily with draws and results, plus news of the day you can do so at www.touchnz.co.nz and follow the link on the home page. Should you wish to interview any of the participating athletes please let me know and I will arrange it for you.

There will also be a professional photographer on site, so if you would like photos for any articles this can also be arranged.

ENDS

© Scoop Media