O2 Touch has successfully introduced 30,000 registered players to the game since its launch in 2013.
O2 Touch centres from across England were invited along to join in the celebrations at the inaugural O2 Touch tournament, held at The Bay, home of Nottingham RFC. Players were able to enjoy a fun-packed day of touch rugby, competing with some of the best teams from around the country.
The event was part of an action-packed weekend of rugby following the Sevens Series final on Saturday 29th June where visitors were able to make the most of the sunshine and enjoy the festival-style atmosphere with live music, a vast array of refreshments and food and a healthy serving of rugby sevens action.
O2 Touch has seen unprecedented growth in recent years with nine new centres opening across the country since this April. The new centres are Finsbury Park, Oundle RFC, Hull Ionians, Christchurch RFC, Blaydon, Thornbury, Tonbridge Juddians RFC, Sedgley Park and RAF Marham.
Coordinated in partnership with O2, O2 Touch is also supported by Sport England and forms a major part of England Rugby’s partnership with Sport England to grow the game.
“We are delighted to celebrate our O2 Touch programme reaching this fantastic milestone and we would like to thank all the volunteers across the country that help us to deliver fun, upbeat touch sessions each week. A huge warm welcome to the new centres that have come on board this season. We look forward to continuing to grow the O2 Touch legacy, getting as many people as possible enjoying the sport during this Rugby World Cup year,” said RFU Rugby Development Director, Steve Grainger.
O2 Touch continues to attract new audiences to rugby with a social team sport for men and women of all abilities that combines touch rugby, upbeat music and fitness, burning around seven hundred and fifty calories a session. The pitch up and play sessions are played to bespoke O2 Touch upbeat music mixes uniquely designed to motivate and increase enjoyment.
The programme operates both a ‘pitch up and play’ facility aimed at individuals who are new to rugby or who can’t commit on a weekly basis and O2 Touch leagues for those who want to play in a more structured and competitive environment.
O2 Touch is a format of the game that aims to breakdown common barriers to participation in rugby, by creating an offering that is easily accessible, non-contact, and encourages social fitness in a fun and friendly environment.
Courtesy of the RFU
