Coach to set off for Touch Rugby WC
Dyasi to make international refereeing debut at event in UK
Touch rugby in the Border region is making strides as local coach, Eugenio Dyasi, heads off to the UK to make his international debut refereeing at the 2024 Touch World Cup (TWC) from July 15-22.
The Federation of International Touch (FIT) TWC organising committee confirmed that this year’s event is the largest and most competitive TWC ever with 39 member nations participating in 13 divisions including opens, seniors, and masters.
Dyasi was selected because of his outstanding officiating skills at the junior and senior national championships last year of which the SA Touch Association (SATA) endorses with the hope that international experience will propel Dyasi’s career in a global direction.
Dyasi who is a player and coach aligned with Border Club Touch Association (BCTA) becomes the third person from Border to represent SA at the TWC, following Tristan Hoffman and Glenwin Cranford’s appearance at the SA Men’s U20 side in 2023.
He is thrilled to have been selected and describes this as a dream come true, saying: “My selection proves that all you need to do is be committed. I stepped up when opportunities to officiate came my way and I did what was needed.
“I am thankful to the SATA and the FIT for trusting in my potential.
“This is a step in the right direction for the development of touch rugby in Border because my success proves there are opportunities in the sport for players and administrators.”
BTCA chair Ingrid Wylde is excited to see the rapid growth local touch rugby has experienced given the association is only six years old. BTCA was founded by community leaders and teachers in Buffalo Flats who were aiming to use rugby to tackle social issues in under supported communities as well as to democratise learning of basic skills needed for rugby including speed, ball skills and peripheral vision.
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus credits the impact of touch rugby in under resourced communities as development hubs for players of colour.
Wylde said: “Dyasi’s selection to the world cup confirms the wonderful talent we have in the Border region and shows that we can compete with the best internationally.
“It is only through investing in coaches and referees that the immense talent in Border will reach its full potential.
“We are committed to developing rugby and the youth in our communities and this year we hope to have more recognition from Border Rugby Union, sponsorship for national junior and senior tournaments, more primary schools with girls and boys touch rugby teams and to win the U19 national trophy for boy’s rugby,” she said.
Border and Mdantsane Hurricanes coach Athabile Ngoloyi said: “Dyasi’s appointment to the TWC can only further the development of rugby in the region.
“Local and provincial exposure will help him grow to a certain level, but international experience will take him to higher heights.
“We have touch players who are playing 7s and 15s rugby now.
“Touch rugby helped with their basic skills. We have referees that started at touch rugby and are now refereeing international rugby games, like Aimee Barrett-Theron and Rasta Rasivhenge who were also voted best referees in the world at some stage.”
In the proceeding months, Dyasi will be raising funds for his travel to the TWC and anyone interested in assisting can contact BTCA at