Team Information - Entry Criteria

Welcome to the 38th Annual Whakatāne January Touch Tournament 2026

Preparations are underway for the return of the classic Whakatāne January Touch Tournament in 2026!

Before registering your team, please carefully read the entry requirements below.

1. Entry Criteria

Our policy is first-in, first-served. However, team entry is only confirmed once all three-gate criteria have been met:

1. The Team Registration Form has been submitted online.

2. The Nominated Referee Registration Form has been submitted online.

3. The Entry Fee ($470 per team) has been paid in full to:

   Whakatane Touch Association Charitable Trust
   ANZ Bank – 06 0169 0235550-01

? Please ensure your nominated referee is committed to umpiring for the full duration of the tournament. Referees will be contacted to confirm availability and association with their team.

2. Referees

Each team must nominate a referee who meets the following requirements:

• Available for the entire duration of the tournament.

• Not nominated by, or associated with, another team.

• Minimum Badge Level Qualification:

  • Opens Grades – at least Level 2 referee.

  • Restricted/Masters Grades – at least Level 1 referee (Level 2 preferred).

• Contactable by Tournament Officials (accurate contact details must be provided).

Referee nominations will be checked before and during the tournament. Failure to meet these conditions will result in the withdrawal of the associated team.

• Referee Registrations Open: Monday, 1 September 2025

• Independent referees (not attached to a team) are welcome to register online.

• If you are struggling to find a referee, please contact your provincial Referee Director for support.

? Important Note: Teams can only expect the standard of umpiring that matches the qualification level of their nominated referee. (e.g. If Team A nominates a Level 1 Referee, they can expect Level 1 referees to officiate their games).

? A referee cannot be a team manager, coach, or player.

3. Team Registrations

• Opens: Tuesday, 16 September 2025 at 6.00am (NZT)

• Registrations will not be accepted unless your nominated referee has registered and confirmed availability.

• The individual who registered the team will be the responsive point of contact between the team and Tournament Officials.

? No pre-registrations or placeholder (“ghost”) entries will be accepted. If Tournament Officials contact a team manager and no response is received within 72 hours, the team’s registration will be voided.

4. Entry Fee & Payment

• Entry Fee: $470 per team (2026 season)

• Payment Method: Direct Deposit (cheques not accepted)

• Account Details:
  Whakatane Touch Association Charitable Trust
  ANZ Bank – 06 0169 0235550-01
  Reference: Club Name & Grade

Refund Policy:

• Withdrawal before 15 November 2025 – Full refund.

• Withdrawal between 16 November – 1 December 2025 – $75 fee deducted, remaining balance refunded.

• Withdrawal on/after 2 December 2025 – No refund.

5. Entry Confirmation

All team registrations will be waitlisted until the three-gate criteria are completed. We record the exact date and time of each step to ensure fairness.

Once confirmed, team managers will receive email and/or text confirmation, and confirmed entries will also be announced on our social media closer to the tournament.

Team Registration links will be available on the Home Page or under the Registrations tab of our website.

⚠️ Please ensure you have read and understood the Entry Criteria before registering your team.