Scottish Touch
Youth Touch
Play. Develop. Belong.
Touch is a fast, friendly team sport for young people of any experience. You can try it for a day, play with a local programme, join a club, or start a session where you live with help from the STA development team.
Ways to play
Try it
Taster days and Taste of Touch events are a relaxed first go, with coaches on hand.
Find a tasterWays to play
Play locally
Regional programmes run youth sessions with their own age groups and times. Find yours below.
Ways to play
Join a club
Clubs give young players regular matches and a team to belong to.
Find a clubWays to play
Start one
Nothing near you? The development team helps parents, teachers and coaches start a session.
Email the development teamFind youth Touch near you
Regional programmes and clubs
Each programme and club runs youth Touch in its own way, with its own age groups, session times and fees. Start with the one nearest to you.
Edinburgh North
Galaxy Touch
Total Touch Academy, with age groups up to Under-20. See the Galaxy Touch website for sessions.
Galaxy Touch websiteEdinburgh South
Pentland Touch
Under-10 to Under-16 sessions.
North East
North East youth Touch
Youth Touch across the North East.
North East youth TouchRun youth Touch?
Get your club listed
If your club or affiliate runs youth sessions, tell us and we will add you to this page.
Email the development teamStart youth Touch where you live
Get started with the STA development team
The STA development team runs workshops on setting up youth Touch, for parents, teachers and anyone who wants young people playing in their area. The approach comes from Pentland Touch, which built an under-12 group from nothing in its first season. Register with the team before you start, so they know you are up and running and can help when you ask. You run your own sessions in your own way.
What you get
Workshops and a start guide
Online workshops on starting youth Touch, with a quick-start guide to get a first session running.
What you get
STA cover and support
Sessions run under STA branding, which brings insurance and safeguarding cover. The team helps you sort the checks before children turn up, and helps you find people in your area.
What you get
Coaching aids for members
STA members can log in to the eLearning platform for Touch-specific coaching aids and session material.
Become a memberAim higher
The Scottish Touch Academy
The Academy is one route for players who want to represent Scotland. It runs player trials, squad training and selection for the Under-14, Under-16, Under-18 and Under-20 teams from 2027. You do not need the Academy to play youth Touch. Local sessions, clubs and regional programmes are the starting point for most players.
Questions from players and parents
Do I need experience?
No. Sessions are built for new players, and most of the time is spent playing rather than being coached.
Is Touch a contact sport?
No. A defender stops the player with the ball by touching them with one hand, usually on the shoulder. There are no tackles.
What will my child need?
Sportswear, and moulded studs, blades or trail shoes. No metal studs. The session supplies the balls, bibs and cones.
Who looks after the children?
Sessions run under STA branding have STA insurance and safeguarding cover. Coaches and volunteers working with children need the safeguarding checks for their role, including PVG membership where it applies.
Who sets the age groups?
Each programme and club sets its own, so ask the one you are interested in.
How much does it cost?
Fees are set by each programme or club. STA membership is usually charged per player, and can be reduced or waived for younger children and development programmes. Ask what applies when you get in touch.
What if there is nothing near me?
Email youth.development@touch.scot. The development team runs workshops on starting youth Touch and can help you find support in your area.
Can I start my own session?
Yes. Register with the development team before you start, and run the session under STA branding for insurance and safeguarding cover. Sort the safeguarding checks before any child turns up, and plan for two people on each session, one coaching and one refereeing.
Is there a route to Scotland teams?
Yes. The Scottish Touch Academy runs player trials, and they are open to everyone. From 2027 the age groups are Under-14, Under-16, Under-18 and Under-20.
Help young people play
Coach, referee, volunteer or start a youth programme at your club. We can help you get going.
Contact youth Touch
Affiliated to the Scottish Touch Association