4 January 2009 - England Touch is looking for players to represent England at the European Championships taking place in July 2010. These trials are open to all players from across the country, whether new to the game or experienced hands! You may be a talented sports man or woman in another sport and wish to now excel at a new one, or you may be the top try scorer in your local touch league and would like to take your touch to a new level. Whatever your situation, we would love to see you either in Reading or Nottingham where your current skill levels and potential will be assessed by the England Selection Committee.

 

If you are selected onto one of the England Squads following a final trial in March, you will be expected to attend several England Training camps in April, May and June building up to the Championships in July. You will also be expected to work hard in your own time on fitness, skill and game knowledge. For further information on what is expected of national players please visit the England website and read the England Coaching and Selectors Documents within the ETA policies section.

 

England will be entering several teams to the European Championships in men’s, women’s and mixed divisions, meaning we are looking for up to 100 players. Perhaps one of them could be you! If you are successful you will spend four challenging and rewarding days at the Championships in Bristol, playing up to 4 games of touch a day against the likes of France, Spain and Germany.

 

Players who wish to be considered for selection for the European Championships taking place in July 2010 must attend one of the two Regional touch trials in February 2010 (details below).  

 

If you wish to attend a trial, please email Teresa Dean-Lee at teresa@englandtouch.org.uk by 1^st February 2010 with the following details:

 

 

If you wish to be considered for selection, but are unable to attend one of the regional trials (for example due to injury) you must email Teresa at teresa@englandtouch.org.uk by Wednesday 17^th February 2010. Please detail your reason for not attending, your date of birth and playing history. A decision will then be made by the ETA as to whether you are invited to attend the future training days.

 

Following the completion of the two regional trials, successful players will be invited to attend a final trail on 6^th March 2010 (details below).

For further information on England Touch’s selection process please visit the ETA Policies page on the England Touch website:

 

Directions - http://www.blue-coat.reading.sch.uk/travel-directions.html

Morning – Women’s trials: 9.15am – 12.30pm - (for all teams – Women’s and Mixed teams)

9.15 – 9.45am – Registration. 

9.45am Warm Up.

Afternoon – Men’s Trials: 12.45pm – 4pm (for all teams – Men’s and Mixed teams)

12.45pm – 1.15pm Registration. 

1.15pm Warm up.

 

Directions - http://www.ntu.ac.uk/about_ntu/maps_travel/campus_maps/index.html

Morning – Men’s trials: 9.15am – 12.30pm(for all teams – Men’s and Mixed teams)

9.15 – 9.45am – Registration. 

9.45am Warm Up.

Afternoon – Women’s Trials: 12.45 – 4pm (for all teams – Women’s and Mixed teams)

12.45 – 13.15 Registration. 

13.15 Warm up.

To be eligible to play for England, the players must satisfy the following criteria:

 

You must also not play Touch at any unaffiliated venue – see ETA website for details of all affiliated leagues www.englandtouch.org.uk

How much will it cost? A payment of £3 will be requested from each individual to cover costs of facilities hire

What to bring? Dress according to weather forecast as all of the trials will be outside. Please bring / wear Touch boots (no metal studs allowed.) Bring adequate water and food as required.

 

 

Successful players from each of the regional trials will be invited to attend a final trial for squad selection on Saturday 6^th March 2010. You must attend one of the regional trials in order to be selected (please note exception below). 

 

 

 

 

All Open Team players who played in the Home Nations 2009 are not required to attend the regional trials. However, you must attend the final trial on Saturday 6^th March 2010. If you cannot attend this final trial you must attend another of the trials either in Nottingham or Reading. All Open players must email Teresa by 1^st February 2010 to let her know your intentions (i.e. whether you want to be considered for selection and that you can attend the final trial).

 

The policy has been adopted to allow coaches and selectors more time to assess new talent at the regional trials. All Open players who played in the Home Nations 2009 will be expected to assist in running the trials therefore please include in your email to Teresa confirmation as to which trial you can assist with.