Bowen backs touch league
MATT Bowen has thrown his support behind the NRL’s inaugural six- team elite touch football premiership, crediting the sport for helping him develop the skills to become a Cowboys legend.
The Cowboys are expected to field a side in the new- look competition which will feature amateur men’s and women’s teams aligned with NRL clubs.
Two 30- minute games will be played ahead of the main NRL event between Rounds 11 and 20, with games to be shown nationally with a mix of live and delayed broadcasts.
It’s a historic leap for touch football and one which Bowen believed would benefit both sports.
Touch was born out of rugby league in 1968 and a host of current and former NRL stars including Bowen, Benji Marshall, Shaun Johnson, and Kalyn Ponga come from touch football backgrounds.
Former Cowboys playmaker Scott Prince has even represented Australia in touch since retiring from the NRL and Bowen believed the shared skills made the new elite touch competition a fantastic idea.
“Growing up, I always played touch. It wasn’t until I realised that I could make something in the NRL that I fully focused on rugby league,” Bowen said.
“You take the guys like Scotty Prince and Benji Marshall, they played touch growing up and you see the skills that they’ve got that can relate to rugby league.
“You don’t kick in touch, but obviously all the ball handling and the passing, you can scoop the ball off the ground. I reckon it helps not just in rugby league, but in any sport.
“It’ll be a win- win situation for both codes. Touch footy is a big sport and anyone can play and then rugby league aligned to it is something big. I reckon it’s a good idea.”
Male and female players who play in elite- level domestic and international competitions will be selected for inaugural teams, with a mix from New South Wales and Queensland.
Touch Football Australia CEO Steve Mitchell said he was thrilled about showcasing elite touch football to a broader audience as the sport celebrates its 50th anniversary.
“Touch football is Australia’s largest social sport, so it’s not generally considered a spectator sport, but everyone who gets the chance to witness the elite level of the game is in awe of how entertaining it is to watch,” Mitchell said.
He said he was excited about giving players the chance to show their skills on the national stage.