It is with great sadness that Touch Football Australia reports the passing of Mr Bob Dyke on December 24, 2010.

Bob’s involvement in the game started in the 1960’s when with Ray Vawdon, he helped create the sport. They formed the South Sydney Touch Association in 1968 before founding the New South Wales Touch Association in 1972 and he was one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the Australian Touch Association in 1976. He was instrumental in the drawing up of the official rules of the sport and competition structures. He visited many ‘informal’ Touch Football gatherings sharing his and Ray’s vision assisting them form associations and structured competitions.

He served as Senior Vice President with the New South Wales Touch Association from 1972 to 1978 and Finance Director from 1979 to 1981, following which he became the sports first fulltime paid administrator. At a national level he was the Finance Director in 1978 and 1979 before taking on the role of Vice President from 1980 to 1982.

Bob’s funeral will be held on Wednesday, 5 January 2011 at Allambie Gardens in the Somerville Chapel commencing at 10am.

On behalf of the whole Touch Football community, Touch Football Australia offers Bob’s wife, Dawn, and his entire family our deepest condolences.