Friday, March 15, 2013
By BEN HARRIS
One of the major strengths of touch football compared to other sports is families can play in the same team.
Many families across the country take up the opportunity touch provides and play together - families like the Sadlers and Grays.
Steph Martin and her children Darcy Sadler, Noah Sadler and Mackenzie Sadler, and Mick Gray, Sharon and Cody all have touch football in their blood.
Steph played in the first NTLs and has represented Australia.
She is playing in the women’s 35s for South Australia at this year’s tournament.
Mackenzie is also playing at the NTLs, playing for the Heat in the women’s T League.
Darcy was supposed to play for the Alliance in the women’s opens of the Elite Eight Series but withdrew prior to the tournament.
To top it off Noah is in the Heat’s under 18s boys team.
The Grays also made it a family trip to Coffs Harbour.
Mick is the coach of the Alliance women’s team, Sharon is playing in the women’s 35s and their daughter Cody is in the women’s T League.
Sharon said it was fun to play with family.
“It is actually really, really cool. All four of us [Steph, Cody, Mackenzie and herself] actually play in a team together at home,” Sharon said.
Steph said touch helps families to form stronger relationships.
“You can put them all on the same field, it is a bit like mixed,” Steph said.
“You can put boys and girls on the same field, have little ones and big ones and the bigger ones can protect the little ones. They learn to look out for others, which is fantastic.”
Cody said she has no issues playing alongside her mum.
“It’s good because I can boss her around without getting into trouble,” Cody said.
Mackenzie said it was great way for families to get together.
“I get to play with Cody all the time, my mum, my sister, Sharon, brothers, everyone,” Mackenzie said.
The Heat’s women’s T League will play Northern Eagles in the play-off for 11th tomorrow morning while their women’s 35s play in the preliminary final.
You can keep up-to-date with all of the latest news and information from the 2013 X-Blades National Touch League in the following ways:
Websites
Social Media
Facebook – www.facebook.com/touchfootballaustralia
Twitter – www.twitter.com/touchfootyaus (be sure to use the hashtag #NTL2013)
Instagram – search for ‘Touch Football Australia’
YouTube - www.youtube.com/touchfootballaus
Touch Football Australia will be live streaming matches on their YouTube page.
- Links:
Family matters
