Tackle your health with touch rugby Options

[Simon Kerr]

People in Yorkshire and the Humber region are being given the opportunity to tackle their health by taking part in a regional senior touch rugby tournament.

The Change4Life movement is encouraging people, aged 33 and over, from all over the region to form teams and compete in Yorkshire and the Humber’s first ever amateur senior touch rugby league.

Established amateur rugby league and union clubs from across the region are recruiting touch rugby teams to participate in local competitions, with the winners going forward to the Yorkshire and the Humber finals.

Launching the initiative, Jane Riley, deputy regional director of public health for Yorkshire and the Humber, said:

“Being active is really important for everyone’s physical and mental health. As we get older, it gets harder to find the time to take part in sport, and any injuries can take longer to heal.

“Touch rugby gives everyone the chance to get involved and have fun, at the same time as getting some exercise, but without the worry of getting injured or knocked about too much – it’s a great way to better health.”

Last year, the Department of Health and Leeds Metropolitan University’s Centre for Men’s Health worked with former rugby league international and assistant coach with the Leeds Rhinos, Francis Cummins, who ran a successful touch rugby pilot. As a result the Department of Health is now extending the scheme more widely.

Francis Cummins, is also the vice-chairman of Dewsbury Celtic Amateur Rugby League Club, he said:

“I’m thrilled that so many more people are going to have the chance to play touch rugby. Last year, we had 120 men playing as well as meeting up with friends and making new ones, we all had a lot of fun – and even got a bit fitter and healthier. It was great for the guys involved and for their families who all turned out to support them.”

The initiative, which is backed by the Rugby Football League and the Rugby Football Union, is urging local businesses, pubs and clubs to put teams forward to play and stay healthy.

If you would like to enter a team or would like more information, please contact your nearest club (see below for details), or visit www.therfl.co.uk or www.rfu.com . Players will only be eligible to play if they have not played full contact rugby in 2010 and are aged 33 or over.