The game of Touch Football had very humble beginnings indeed.

Used as a training technique and warm up game for Rugby League teams during the 1950s and 60s it was never seen as a sport in its own right.

Eventually more and more people turned to Touch for a safe social game to play and it soon became inevitable that an official competition would be held.

Few then would have envisaged the phenomenal growth in participation numbers that followed in Australia, let alone internationally.

The first official game of Touch Football – more commonly referred to simply as ‘Touch’ - was held in the traditionally strong rugby league area of South Sydney, Australia. The South Sydney Touch Football Association was founded in 1968 and ran a competition in that year. The matches were held at the aptly named Pioneer Park.

Very soon after this other associations were formed and inter-district competition began in 1978; in 1979 the Queensland Touch Association was formed; the game  blossomed in New South Wales and in 1980 the inaugural National Championships were held. Only three divisions were contested in that year, being the men's and women's open, and the men's over 35s.

In Australia this game has become a national phenomenon – played in every state and country town – and it is estimated that well over 1 million people enjoy playing this sport across Australia at some level.

With such rapid development, this sport was exported to the world by eager enthusiasts and is now played in over 80 countries internationally.

Touch is played either socially or competitively in every hemisphere around the world: throughout Australia and the Pacific; in many countries in Asia; all over the United Kingdom and Europe and in America and beyond. 

The international body was formed so as to look to support the growth in numbers and enthusiasm and The Federation of International Touch (or F.I.T. as it is commonly known) a not-for-profit International Sports Federation was founded in Melbourne, Australia in 1985.

F.I.T. is comprised of an international board and staff that is charged with ensuring the game of Touch is developed at every level from junior players through to elite athletes on a global scale.

There are currently 34 F.I.T. affiliated member nations with many more countries looking to become a Federation emerging nation or 'Associate Member'.

The sport has been recognised on the international stage as a member of the General Assembly of International Sport Federations and complies with the World Anti Doping Agency requirements regarding drugs in sport.

F.I.T. is responsible for providing advice and assistance to member or emerging member countries in areas such as coaching and resource development, providing referee and rule resources, coordination and management of events such as World Cups and Regional Championships and for marketing and ensuring recognition of the sport at an International level.

F.I.T. also conducts or assists with 5 major events worldwide, including the F.I.T World Cup (currently in its Sixth Championships since 1987), the Youth World Cup, European Championships, the Asian Club Championships, South Pacific Island Nations Championships and the World All Schools Championships.

Many events are based on tenders from member countries and boast an opportunity to showcase the sport in different countries while offering sponsors an opportunity to reach a wide audience.

The longer term vision for F.I.T. is eventual acceptance as a Commonwealth Games sport and the affirmation of Touch Football as one of the most popular sports worldwide.

Touch has truly captured the imagination of the worlds sporting public and is recognised as the ‘Sport for All’.