Team Information - Grade Criteria
Welcome to the 38th Annual Whakatāne January Touch Tournament 2026!
Preparations are currently underway for the return of the Classic Whakatāne January Touch Tournament.
If you're interested in registering your team, please read through the Entry Criteria ("Tournament Info" tab) and the information below for grade criteria requirements:
1. Grade Criteria
To ensure your team fits the correct grade, please check your players meet the following criteria. Teams will be able to protest you if you are proven not to be following these rules.
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MENS OPEN |
Open to all male players 15 years and older |
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MENS RESTRICTED |
Open to male players 15 years and older - See Appendix re: Player restrictions. |
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WOMENS OPEN |
Open to all female players 15 years and older |
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WOMENS RESTRICTED |
Open to female players 15 years and older - See Appendix re: Player restrictions |
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MIXED GRADE see appendix for restrictions |
Open to male and female players 15 years and older - See Appendix re: Player restrictions Special Rule: Mixed Grade teams can contain up to 2 players only who have represented New Zealand or any other Country affiliated to the Federation of International Touch (FIT) in men’s or women’s or mixed open teams and the men’s or women’s or mixed Youth Under 18/20s teams. |
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OLD BOYS +35 RESTRICTED GRADE |
Open to male players 35 years and older - See Appendix re: Player restrictions |
2. Appendix
Clarification on which players CANNOT play in the tournament Men's restricted and Women’s restricted grades.
- A player who is 14 years or younger at the date of the tournament.
- A player who has played and represented New Zealand in the Open Men’s, Women’s or Mixed teams after the 1st October 2021.
- A player who has played and represented New Zealand in the Men’s, Women’s or Mixed Youth Under 18/20 teams after the 1st October 2021.
- Any player who has represented any other Country affiliated to the Federation of International Touch (FIT) in similar grades after the 1st October 2021.
Clarification on which players CANNOT play in the tournament Mixed restricted grade.
- A player who is 14 years or younger at the date of the tournament.
- A player who has played and represented New Zealand in the Open Men’s, Women’s or Mixed teams after the 1st October 2021.
- A player who has played and represented New Zealand in the Men’s, Women’s or Mixed Youth Under 18/20 teams after the 1st October 2021.
- Any player who has represented any other Country affiliated to the Federation of International Touch (FIT) in similar grades after the 1st October 2021.
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Special Rule: Mixed Grade teams can contain up to 2 players only who have represented New Zealand or any other Country affiliated to the Federation of International Touch (FIT) in men’s or women’s or mixed open teams and the men’s or women’s or mixed Youth Under 18/20s teams.
Clarification on which players CANNOT play in the tournament +35 Old Boys grade
- A player who is 34 years or younger at the date of the tournament.
- A player who has played and represented New Zealand in the Men’s +35 grade after the 1st October 2021.
- A player who has played and represented New Zealand in the Open Men’s or Mixed teams after the 1st October 2021.
- A player who has played and represented New Zealand in the 30 Men’s or Mixed teams after the 1st October 2021.
- Any player who has represented any other Country affiliated to the Federation of International Touch (FIT) in similar grades after the 1st October 2021