Because it’s the most accessible and low impact form of rugby, Touch is a great way to attract new players to your club, give ex-players a route back into the game and keep things ticking over during the summer. The case studies below show you how other clubs have benefited from running touch and will give you some ideas.
The Old Gits Touch Rugby Club
Seven years ago a few players who were nearing retirement from playing contact rugby decided not to hang up their boots. Wanting to stay linked to the club and keep fit, Alan Reed led the way to start up the Old Gits. For the first three months four or five attended - five years later, and a squad of nearly 50 Old Gits, were regularly playing on Thursdays.
Aldershot and Fleet Touch Series
For the past 6 years Martin Booth with the club’s head coach started Touch Rugby for extra fitness and increasing team morale during the summer.
The competition is relaxed and fun and as the word was spread that it was a laugh more people joined up. Initially 5 teams of 10 took part for 1 night a week for 8 weeks. Last year 13 teams took part, of which 50% are not associated with the club and 40% are non-rugby players. So far 10 players have been directly converted into playing senior rugby into the club.
Exeter Adult Touch Rugby
This was an RFU pilot scheme run at Exeter University starting in October 2006. The scheme proved to be an excellent way for the university to link with the local community and teams consisted of students, office workers and a group of on-call firemen. Current teams are made up of a mixture of players of all ages and from a whole variety of professions, sports and past playing experience.
Gosford All Blacks Touch Team
Clubs anxious to boost their income during the summer months could take a leaf out of Kidlington, Oxfordshire-based Gosford All Blacks RFC’s books and set up a Touch Rugby arm of the club.
In 2009 the club opened its Stratfield Brake Sports Ground doors to the then fledgling Oxford Touch club, who have now become an integral section of the All Blacks club and even have a representative on the club’s main committee.
Stothert & Pitt RFC hosting the Bath Touch League
Stothert & Pitt RFC has been home to the Bath Touch League for the last 5 years and the event goes from strength to strength, offering one of the best experiences around for Touch Rugby players in the local area. Every Wednesday night, from 6.30pm – 9pm for 12 weeks between May and August, approx 200-250 people (20 teams) descend on the club to take part in the fun, friendly activity.
Click the following link to download the complete Touch rugby case studies PDF featuring details from eight different schemes and events
