The Koru Games Touch Competitions will be played under the Touch NZ Simplified Playing Rules.

1. All games will be played in the spirit of ‘Fair Play’. To mark this all players will shake hands before and after each game.
2. All competitions are six-a-side, with a maximum number of 14 per squad.
3. Games will be played on a standard, 70m x 50m, field.
4. Games will consist no more than 15 minute halves.
5. Substitutions can happen by either team at any time as long as it is through the substitution box.
6. No extra time will be played until knock out games. During this extra time, each team drops a player every two minutes until it is three on three or a touchdown is scored.
7. All touchdowns are worth one point, no gender difference in the mixed competition.
8. Players are not allowed to wear boots with screw in studs.
9. The tournament coordinator’s decisions are final.

The Boy’s, Girl’s and Mixed tournaments will be held separately, assuming entrant numbers generate a viable tournament in each.

Mixed teams must have at least one boy and no more than three boys on the field at all times. 

Each school can only enter one team in each competition. If you have additional teams wanting to play, please add them to the waitlist form and we will be in contact once registrations close if there are spaces available in that competition.

All teams must supply a willing and able referee. Touch Canterbury is prepared to run referee courses to upskill those that need it prior to the Games, contact Touch Canterbury shane@touchcanterbury.co.nz if your referee would like to be included in this. You will be required to include their information when you register your team/s. Referees will officiate their own games. The Games will supply some referees, (as many as possible) to supplement those supplied by schools.

The Touch tournament has separate boys, girls and mixed competitions. 

Please see linked memo below for detail on competition format for each sport

Competition Formats (All sports)

All teams must be accompanied by a manager (teacher, parent, senior student). For coaching content ideas you could refer to the Touch NZ Coach Connect website.

We are committed to using this tournament as a development for youth officials.  Each team will need their own referee and whistle, we encourage you to use senior student referees from your School or a Highschool near you.  Otherwise a parent/caregiver/coach will be great. Upskilling can happen prior to the tournament for those that need it.

All teams/schools need to have first aid support onsite.

Habit Health will be at the Rolleston Hub to support competitors throughout the Games.

Rolleston Hub

• Bangkok Wok
• The Coffee Lady
• Tracey's Grub on Hubs

Each team will be responsible for supplying a match ball.