Four years ago when Duncan Cole arrived in Seoul, Touch was being played occassionally and erratically along the banks of the River Han. Of course, the Seoul Survivors were playing as part of their training and other groups of Touch-minded individuals were running out around the peninsula and there was even the occasional tournament. But no real continuity.....
When Mark Lamb pulled a hamstring in a two-on-two session (turnouts could be quite small those days), Duncan took up the reins, cajoling, organising and harrying players to drag themselves out, early on Saturday mornings to play. Thise were not the only essential skills Duncan had to display; he was famous for arriving each morning with another bag of sand to fill in pot holes on the pitch next to Hannam Bridge. There is some suspiscion this may have cause subsidence in Itaewon! His diplomatic skills were stretched too, in the endless negotiations with the local authorities on the use of their precious grass.
It was the problems in obtaining a reliable place to play, one where the fate of nations did not seem to be at risk, that led to the foundation of the ITS tournaments in 2006....a chance to open a dialogue with the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Duncan did need some persuausion to go for the grand design that became ITS....and his leadership in it's formation and execution was critical.
Meanwhile, playing numbers continued to grow and in 2007, an attempt was made to form a league with Duncan duly leading his Hangang Exiles team to victory. He also took his team on their first international outing, to Hong Kong's Inter Cities tournament in May 2007.
Things went from strength to strength, this years Spire Touch Championship has seen three tournaments in Korea, with more scheduled for later in the year.
Despite this being a holiday season, on his farewell run, a normal crowd of about 40 players turned out for a run, a BBQ, a couple of beers and to send him off.
Duncan leaves Touch in Korea on a firm foundation and a legacy that we have to protect....his commitment to exposure of the sport has been rewarded....our loss is Libya's gain!
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