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[Chris Chatten]

After setting up touch rugby sessions utilising funding from a Sportivate bid back in April, coaches have been pleased to welcome participants who are new to rugby and some which have come back to the sport after not participating for a number of years along with some which are already familiar with the sport. It is hoped that the mixed sessions can now be made sustainable and take place all year round targeting adults of all ages and abilities. However, coaches have been able to give an added incentive for sessions over the forthcoming weeks by teaming up with local professional club York City Knights for a discounted/free ticket promotion for the their final home game of the season.

Fast moving, evasive and involving minimal contact, Touch Rugby is a game played all over the world by men and women of all ages and skills levels. A simple yet exciting game, Touch promotes the fundamental skills of running, handling and support play, whilst developing the basic principles of attack and defence without the fear of getting hurt!

Andy Lawley & Chris Chatten (previously Ryedale District Council’s Sports Development Officer) are both local rugby league coaches and lead the sessions. The sessions are mixed and for adults aged 16+, take place at Malton Community Sports Centre, every Tuesday 7pm till 8pm Address: Broughton Road, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 7BP and hopes are to develop a second venue in another local town soon.

Touch is the most popular and firmly established introduction to playing rugby with more than 15,000 men and women across the UK take part in organised touch rugby tournaments each year. As the name suggests, touch rugby is a minimal-contact version of the game, without any rucks, mauls, scrums or lineouts, and where touching the player with the ball counts as a tackle. As such, touch rugby is suitable for both men and women, of all skills and experience, from people who have never touched a ball before to experienced club players.

The sessions are a great opportunity for everyone to try a new sport, meet new people and discover the thrill of team games in a friendly environment. You’ll be coached in the basic skills of running, ball handling and teamwork but the main point is to really enjoy the sport.

Nick Settle, North Yorkshire Rugby League Service Area Co-ordinator said; “Social touch has been successfully running across the country including York for the past two years now and hopes are to replicate it here in Malton where by individual just turn up on the night and are placed into teams. Complete beginners are welcome to attend as are ex players wishing to keep fit and have some fun. Such schemes have gained good feedback from those attending and would urge people to come along and try it for themselves.”

Chris Chatten, said “sessions were initially set up as part of the legacy plans for Ryedale District Council’s Rugby League World Cup Bid, the council should know shortly if they have been successful in hosting one of the ‘Festival of World Cups’ in partnership with Nero Training & Ampleforth College. We have been impressed with the enthusiasm people have for the sport locally and would like to build on this in what is still a relatively ‘untapped’ area for the sport”

The sessions will cost £2.50 per session, and if participants attend all weekly sessions over the forthcoming weeks the coaches have teamed up with York City Knights the local professional rugby league to offer discounted tickets to watch their final home game of the season on Sunday 2^nd September along with some free tickets for under 16’s. For more information or to book your place on please send me a PM.

I would be grateful if you could forward this information to any friends or interested colleagues.

I hope to see you at one of the sessions on a Tuesday night soon.
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