Testimonials

Marc Blamire 

How did you get into touch?
I first started playing in Australia when I was working over there, its really popular and most places have established leagues, but we just played for fun with my rugby club. When I came back to London I found that leagues had been set up so I played in a team down there and when I moved up to Nottingham it was probably one of the first sports I looked for, its really good for meeting people.
 
What's so good about it?
Honestly? Winning! But aside from that its fantastic exercise, really good for building your fitness. If you are a rugby player its great for improving your skills and lines of running. If you are just a social player its a good way to keep fit, meet some people, have a laugh and get outdoors in the summer. Also because my team were quite new when we started its been really good to see everyone improve and get so much better and more confident.
 
Is it a disadvantage to non-rugby players?
I don't think it is as much of a disadvantage as people might think. There are obviously skills that rugby players have that help them, basic passing, catching and lines of running mainly. But these are easy to pick up with a bit of practice. Being a rugby union player can also be a big disadvantage because you have to unlearn a lot of the things you do naturally on a pitch (especially if you are a forward!), taking people on individually will rarely get you a score and it only takes a fingertip to bring you to a halt. You need to work much more as a team and help one another out to create the space.
 
Would you recommend it, and if so, to who and why?
I would definitely recommend touchrugby to anyone who wants to get outside, keep fit and play a team sport. Guys or girls and a real mix of ages are accommodated and all combine really well. Most newcomers that I have met are still playing now and improve steadily and really enjoy it. The mixed leagues are really social and in the last two years have come on massively in terms of competition. There are new sides every year and plenty of people around to help you out if you want to get better. The men's leagues are good quality and a real challenge for any people who fancy sprinting like a lunatic for 40 minutes, or working towards that aim. I shall be the one wheezing by the pitchside after 20 minutes ;-)
 
Duncan Richmond

 

Somebody at work was advertising it on our Intranet site and welcoming new players, so I thought I'd go along and see whether I liked it. That was in the summer of 2005 and I've been hooked ever since.

 

Having spent most of my life playing football, the thing that attracted me to touch initially was that is was a fresh sporting challenge. Once I started playing, I found it really fun and enjoyable. It's great for fitness as it can be a fast-paced game and it's a good social environment where everybody's really friendly. Oh, and you don't get knocked about like you would do in rugby!

 

There's obviously some experienced rugby players with very good handling skills, but as a non-rugby player myself I'd say that anybody can become a useful touch player in a fairly short space of time. As it's basically a non-contact sport, apart from  the touch, so a lot of traditional rugby skills actually aren't that effective in touch. Also, it's teamwork and movement, as opposed to brute strength or size, that will make a successful 'touch-er'.

 

I'd definitely recommend touch to girls, boys, men, women and others of any sporting ability as a fun and rewarding leisure activity.
 
Lorna Wright 

How did you get into touch?
My house mates played for Moderns and were putting together a touchrugby team the first year Perfect Motion ran a league, summer 2005.  I absolutely loved it and have played ever since.
 
What's so good about it?
I have always liked team, and ball sports, and touch is exactly that.  I like it because it is sociable and played on nice summer evenings!!!! At times it can be very funny whilst also having a competitive edge.  Plus, it keeps me fit.  In fact, the first summer I played I found my fitness improved to a level it had never reached before.
 
Is it a disadvantage to non-rugby players?
No, not at all. The first season I played I was not a rugby player.  In fact some of the best International women players have never played rugby and come from a netball background. All you need to be able to do is catch, and run.
 
Would you recommend it, and if so, to who and why?
I would definitely recommend it, to everyone of all ages.