A hot new sport is coming to Parramatta that promises to put a new spin on the classic game of touch football.
Touch Rugby League (TRL) is non-contact rugby league and considered to be one of the fastest growing social sports in the country.
Played right down the east coast of Australia, it’s finally Parramatta’s turn to get in on all the fun.
Have you ever played touch footy and wanted to put up a cross-field kick for your winger? You can with TRL.
It’s just like rugby league but without the tackles. Think kick-offs, bombs during play and proper play the balls.
After successfully introducing TRL to Inner West Sydney earlier this year, Competition Manager Genesis Yuseco now plans to run the sport in the Parramatta LGA.
From 6.30pm next Thursday, June 15, Yuseco will be holding a TRL Come and Try Night at Granville Park in Merrylands.
Targeted towards men and women over the age of 18, TRL is the closest sport to rugby league without the tackling.
Speaking with Parra News, Yuseco said everyone is welcome to attend next week’s TRL Come and Try event.
“We’ll have at least one playing field set up as well as a referee on hand to go through the rules of the game with everybody,” he said.
“The best way to learn the game is to actually play it, so why not bring your friends along for a fun evening? We’ll have a BBQ and plenty of information on hand as well.”
Yuseco, who has a background in OzTag, said the Inner West competition he runs two nights a week in Strathfield has been quite successful, and he’s hoping to see the same appetite for the sport right here in Parramatta.
“The Inner West competition has six teams currently, both mixed and men’s,” he said.
“TRL is a social, inclusive and affordable sport that is excellent for fitness because of the pace of the game.
“A lot of OzTag players prefer it because it’s faster, as there’s no tags involved, and you can kick on any tackle and as high as you want.”
TRL teams are made up of seven players on the field, with a four male and three female ratio. The inaugural winter competition is expected to kick-off in Parramatta in July.
If you’re interested in playing TRL, pop down to their Come and Try Night at 6.30pm next Thursday, June 15 at Granville Park, Merrylands.
For more information, contact Genesis Yuseco on 0424 388 847, email iws@trl.com.au or visit trl.com.au/innerwestsydney.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.