Touch football has become even more accessible thanks to a new all-abilities program being run by Launceston Touch Association.
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The LTA is midway through a six-week program that introduces the sport to athletes living with intellectual or physical impairments and is the first of its kind in the state.
Facilitator James Edmunds, who has led the first three weeks at Prospect Park, said the enthusiasm of his growing group had been delightful to witness.
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"We were expecting one, maybe two people [at the first session] but we've got five today and there's another two who have been there every session so we've had roughly seven each session," Edmunds said.
"The age limit is wide and the idea is when they play at NTL you'll have people of all abilities playing on the field so it opens it up to everybody."
Starting out with a series of games teaching evasion and ball handling skills, the program has found support from the likes of New Horizons while the NDIS bus has helped get players to training.
LTA general manager Patty Bessell said the program would culminate in an exhibition match on the association's grand final day should numbers allow it.
"We've seen through other state or national programs that there's been those opportunities," Bessell said.
"At the last New South Wales state cup they had an all-abilities competition that included a live streamed final so that was pretty awesome to see.
"We've got big dreams for this kind of thing to expand and we'd love to see it happen in the North-West and South as well."
Set up with the support of touch's national body and Australian women's player Danielle Davis, the LTA's program is fully subsidised for participants.
Bessell said Edmunds had paved the way for initiating a Tasmanian program following a suggestion from the association's member base.
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"James just grabbed it by the neck, took it ahead and found the right people in the national office to get it all set up and running," Bessell said.
"So he's really leading from the front on this and it's nice to see someone taking to it with so much passion.
"It's really awesome how encouraging they are of each other as well - there's just something about the energy, it's so much fun working with this group. Everyone just seems to have a ball."
LTA's all-abilities touch program runs at 5pm on Tuesdays.
For more details visit the LTA's Facebook page.
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