Cary Thompson was the long-standing president of F.I.T for 16 years.  He’s just recently stepped down as president and I had the chance to ask some hard-hitting questions…

OTR: Cary, You’ve seen the game blossom from 6 member countries in 1991 to over 30 today.  Does FIT have a vision for where they want things to be in say 20 years time and what will it look like?

CT: FIT always has a vision for the future. The growth of members was always my number one priority then the sustaining of their membership became just as important. We have had members fall by the way side due to inadequate infrastructure in place in some countries. FIT has been addressing this issue over the past years. As to the future we are looking at getting admitted as a Commonwealth Games event in the Mixed division as it would be unique and it could be a stepping stone to the Olympics. In the ensuring time we still focus on development both in participation and technical areas.

OTR: Has there ever been any talk of Touch becoming a Commonwealth Games sport at all? 

CT: There has been plenty of talk, but finding the people to put an action plan into place, has been difficulty. Approaches to certain "people of influence" has not proved successful at this stage but I'm sure the new Executive have plans to escalate the process.

OTR: It was a welcome return to see the MX30 division in Stellenbosch – Was there any reasons for the drop in numbers that attended Japan?

CT: The event in Japan frightened some Members simply because they assumed the costs to be prohibitive. What they did not realise was that the tournament was being played at Kumagaya, a regional centre, and not in Tokyo where expenses are high. Thus many teams did not attend as they budgeted poorly and many players I knew personally were disappointed they made themselves unavailable (because of cost), not reasling how inexpensive the whole trip was. Without player numbers you don't get the divisions.

OTR:  The South Africans put together a great competition in Stellenbosch.  Do you have any words of wisdom for organisers of the next World Cup here in Edinburgh?

CT: Scotland will need to begin the process immediately. They will need budgets, create checklists and time lines in which actions need to be completed. The European Championship whilst having a carnival atmosphere was great but the World Cup will be a lot harder in is preparation as it need to be more formal in a lot of aspects. Provided they get a large base of  volunteers and some corporate support, for the many administration matters, they will put on a good show.

OTR: You came here to Edinburgh for the Euros in 2006 – Will we see you back to visit in 2011?

CT: I have no plans to be back in 2011 at this stage. That will be up to other folks

OTR: I imagine it will be hard to take a back seat after all this time as the FIT president – Will you continue to be involved with Touch and if so what sort of role might that be?

CT: My only role in Touch at the moment is the Official Historian for Touch Football Australia. I have just published their first Almanac and I am working on the next two - one which is  FIT's International History of the sport. If people want this as reference guide then I'll continue but if it not a priority for Members then it won't happen.

 OTR: What do you think makes a great Touch player?

CT: Someone who gives 100% to their role as a player is a great player.  However there are degrees of greatness. A truly great player is one who give 110% and who possess exceptional skills and eventually represents at the highest level. The really great players of the sport at the moment have come mainly from Australia and New Zealand. There are many greats but few legends. Peter Walters, Kopae Irihei, George Albert-Jahnke from NZ are legend as are Australians Bobby Brindell, Scott Notley and Mark Boland.  Karen Smith, Kerry Norman, Kitty Toohey (Maher) and Stacey Gregory are aussie legends so are Leanne Walker, Joanne Tarau, Stacey O'Hara and Robin Proffit from new Zealand.

OTR:  What has been your favourite moment in Touch?

CT: There have been many favourite moments. They range from the park level, where my son, daughter, brother, cousin and neighbours all played in the one team, to retiring in January having achieved all my goals and leaving FIT with a Membership to be proud of. I guess the receiving of each one of my nine life memberships from 6 different Touch Associations and 3 Referee Associations was certainly a highlight at each point in time. As non parochial as I am; Australia's win at each world Cup since 1988 has made me proud to be part of the Australian Touch community.

 OTR: The Southern Hemisphere teams continued to dominate in Stellenbosch – What does the rest of the world have to do to catch up?

CT: Time is the only receipt - combine this with strong technical development (coaching and refereeing) as well as more competition under intense conditions and countries will bridge the gap. Unfortunately this will not happen until countries model the infrastructure of Australia and New Zealand and have a National Association with paid employee pushing this development.

OTR: Cary – Thanks for the chat!

CT: “ It is my pleasure and I wish Scotland all, the best for their World Cup preparations and FIT for a bright and prosperous future.