Club Membership
Club membership is highly recommended to participate in any affiliated event or other competition run by Wales Touch. To comply with the covid-19 return to play guidance and ensuring we meet the obligations set down by the Welsh government in association with Sport Wales and Wales Sports Association. Club membership is also for university-based clubs wishing to participate in the University National Touch Series, or in any affiliated event, or other competition run by Wales Touch.
Benefits
​
Insurance and welfare cover
-
Public liability, employers liability, products liability, professional indemnity, and directors and officers (management liability) insurance. Full details will be available via the Wales Touch Insurance Portal.
Tournament discounts
-
Any affiliated club that enters a WTA affiliated tournament (such as one of the WTS tournaments) will receive a discount on the entry fee. This is typically £50 per tournament. So if a club enters only one tournament in a year, membership is effectively free. More than one tournament entry, and they are saving money whilst also gaining all the other benefits listed below.​
​
Have your say
-
Representation within Wales Touch as a member with voting rights at the AGM
-
Direct involvement in shaping the future of Touch in Wales
-
Input into the sport’s development in Europe and around the world
​
Promotional opportunities
-
Recognition of your Touch club on the Wales Touch website &/or other social platforms
-
Ability to promote as an affiliated club/operation and attract players and referees with an open and clear development pathway
-
Promotion and marketing of club activities and events on the Wales Touch website, social media channels, newsletter, etc
Participation and development opportunities
-
One complimentary place on a Level 1 Referee course
-
Involvement in any affiliated Wales Touch event or competition in which only those registered have the opportunity to be part of (subject to conditions)
-
Access to development opportunities and specialist courses either provided by Wales Touch or in collaboration with our partners such as England Touch and other nations, EFT and FIT.
-
Engagement with our officers and partners e.g WRU at national and local levels.
-
Opportunity to hold one-off club days/inter-club/other tournaments, with the support of Wales Touch
-
FIT and EFT affiliation, including indirect benefits such as referee panels to improve our top referees and referee coaches, courses for coaches and coaching presenters
Governance support
-
Access and compliance support on constitutions and running operations within boundaries of relevant regulations and laws, protection policies, disciplinary procedures, and a national code of conduct
-
Advice and support regarding safeguarding, equality, inclusion and judiciary matters
-
Access to Wales Sports Association. A network and support service to ensure consistent standards and a collaborative approach across the sporting sector in Wales.
Access to discounts and subsides
-
One complimentary place on a Level 1 Referee course
-
‘Economies of scale’ reductions – the larger the affiliation structure, the more attractive it becomes to investors.
Quality assurance
-
Wales Touch structures and procedures provide quality assurance for affiliated operators. Players and referees can see at a glance that an event will warrant their participation
-
The right to run Touch activities (using the FIT rules) is restricted to affiliates only. Wales Touch will protect affiliates from having their competition undermined by ‘unaffiliated organisers’ who badge their activity as ‘Touch’ where it is fundamentally different to FIT rules
-
Access to Wales Touch trained referees and coaches.
-
Protection under the national constitution, by-laws and policies
​
Support of Wales Touch
-
The WTA is run by many volunteers that give up their time to help grow the sport we love. We have costs in order to operate and for us, membership provides us with essential income.
Fees
​
All memberships are valid for one year from the date of purchase/renewal request. Renewal periods are successive 12-month terms following your initial membership year, so if you wish to restart your membership for a full 12 months after a period of inactivity, you will need to register a new account; delayed renewal payments do not extend your membership beyond the registration anniversary.
​
Clubs - £50
Universities - £25
​
​
​
Declaration
​
Clubs and Universities agree to the following terms:
​
The Club
-
Acknowledge and accept the WTA Code of Conduct and will behave according to the WTA Code of Ethics.
-
Agree to abide by the WTA Codes and adhere to the WTA Members Protection Policy at all times.
-
Acknowledge that the WTA may take disciplinary action against the Club if it breaches these codes and WTA policies.
-
Acknowledge that disciplinary action against the Club may include loss of membership and de-registration from the National Coaching/Officiating Accreditation Scheme of the Wales Touch Association.
Should the main contact details of the Club Representative change, please inform us by e-mailing membership@walestouch.wales.
​
In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way with the “WALES TOUCH ASSOCIATION” sports program, related events and activities, the Club acknowledges, appreciates, and agrees that:
​
-
The risk of injury from the activities involved in this program could result in significant injury, including the potential for permanent paralysis and death, and while particular rules, equipment, and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of serious injury does exist; and,
-
The Club KNOWINGLY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, both known and unknown, EVEN IF ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES or others, and assume full responsibility for my participation; and,
-
The Club willingly agree to comply with the stated and customary terms and conditions for participation. If, however, I observe any unusual significant hazard during my presence or participation, I will remove myself from participation and bring such to the attention of the nearest official immediately; and,
-
The Club, HEREBY RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS “Wales Touch Association” their officers, officials, agents, and/or employees, other participants, sponsoring agencies, sponsors, advertisers, and if applicable, owners and lessors of premises used to conduct the event (“RELEASEES”), WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL INJURY, DISABILITY, DEATH, or loss or damage to person or property, WHETHER ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES OR OTHERWISE, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
-
The Club further consent to photographs being taken at Wales Touch Association events. And agree that these can be used by the association for marketing and publicity purposes.
The Club has read this release of liability and assumption of risk agreement, fully understand its terms, understand and give up substantial rights by agreeing to it, and agree to it freely and voluntarily without any inducement.