New Trans-Tasman Test Series Plans

Touch Football Australia (TFA) and Touch New Zealand (TNZ) have today confirmed that the 2020 Open Trans-Tasman has been cancelled due to COVID-19.

The Trans-Tasman cycle of events will now continue from 2021 as planned with a combined Open and Masters Trans-Tasman series being held in April 2021 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

“We are disappointed not to be able to go ahead and host the Open Trans-Tasman in Australia, in beautiful Newcastle,” said Touch Football Australia (TFA) CEO Jamie O’Connor.

“We thank the City of Newcastle and Destination NSW for hosting the Youth Trans-Tasman earlier this year and for their support during this unprecedented pandemic period, but we are very much looking forward to being able to take part in the event in New Zealand.” 

“Although we are disappointed, the decision to cancel was the only logical approach given the global pandemic and the closed international borders,” Touch New Zealand CE Joe Sprangers said of the decision.

“We are extremely grateful to all the players and support staff for their continued efforts and look forward to hosting an exciting and vibrant series in 2021.”

The combined series is scheduled to take place from 22nd to 25th April 2021 at Nga Puna Wai, Christchurch.

The series will again fall on ANZAC Day, giving both teams an opportunity to showcase the Tasman bond that exists and the unity of the countries during challenging times.

As the pinnacle event outside of the World Cup, the 2021 series will be a welcome opportunity for many players, coaches, managers and referees.

With sport recently being on hold, the event is guaranteed to be fiercely contested – with a year’s pent-up energy to be unleashed by the Open and Masters teams on the southern soil in Aotearoa.