Touch rugby taking off in Llanelli
Llanelli may be considered to be the cradle of Welsh rugby but it has been slow to be touched by a new league version of the game.
Touch rugby is hugely popular in Cardiff with more than 100 teams playing two nights a week throughout the summer.
Now it looks as if Scarlet Sospanites are catching on.
More than 150 men and women attended the first round of fixtures organised by the Welsh Touch Association and Carmarthenshire County Council’s sports development teams last week at Ysgol y Strade.
Nine teams are competing in the men’s league including two teams of over 35-year-olds including Once were Athletes, the Orang-utans and Gower Shower.
Mixed teams include Phizz Whizz, All the Gear, Kidwelly Kats, Diversity and Carmarthenshire Crusaders.
The Association administer the game in Wales and run the national teams who compete in international tournaments for men’s, women’s, mixed, over 30s, over 35, over 40s.
This first year of the league in Llanelli has proved popular with a total of 14 teams entering. Teams must field at least six players, but often have squads with 10-12 people playing.
County 5x60 officer Matthew Adams said: “We have teams that play XVs together and are using this as pre-season training. One team usually plays netball together; another team is made up of Environment Agency personnel with other teams composed by friends and work colleagues friends or work colleagues. Our Sports Development Unit is also fielding a mixed team.
Teams play one league game each week. Games last for 30 minutes. Some teams also elect to play an extra friendly game on the night to improve their skills. Local rugby union referees have been trained by Wales Touch Association to referee touch games.
Most of the teams present have not played this form of touch before. So far in Wales, leagues have been restricted to Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham and Rhondda Cynon Taf over the last 20 years.
Matthew said “Early indications are that we could eventually replicate the popularity of the game in Cardiff.
Matt Enoch, development director of the association said “We are delighted to support Carmarthenshire council in this venture and see it as a significant point in the development of Touch in Wales. For those wishing to participate in Touch as a recreational sport, the emphasis is very much on fun and enjoyment. It is an ideal way to keep fit over the summer months, meet new people and try a new game.
“For those who wish to participate in Touch on a more competitive level, there is a wide network of open club tournaments held locally, nationally and internationally to enable teams to challenge other like-minded teams.
“In addition participation in the league also makes all Welsh players eligible for selection to the National Touch squads. This could include travelling the world to compete in International competitions against the very best teams in the world.
“Whatever the players and referees want to get out of their participation in Touch, I wish them every success."
For more information on Touch in Wales, contact www.walestouch.co.uk we are in the process of updating the site and are hoping to go live next week. A working up model of the new site can be viewed at www.walestouch.co.uk/new
The interest has grown in Llanelli following a well attended open evening. It was an opportunity to watch the game being played and receive coaching advice from the association.
Touch rugby is hugely popular in Cardiff with more than 100 teams playing two nights a week throughout the summer.
Now it looks as if Scarlet Sospanites are catching on.
More than 150 men and women attended the first round of fixtures organised by the Welsh Touch Association and Carmarthenshire County Council’s sports development teams last week at Ysgol y Strade.
Nine teams are competing in the men’s league including two teams of over 35-year-olds including Once were Athletes, the Orang-utans and Gower Shower.
Mixed teams include Phizz Whizz, All the Gear, Kidwelly Kats, Diversity and Carmarthenshire Crusaders.
The Association administer the game in Wales and run the national teams who compete in international tournaments for men’s, women’s, mixed, over 30s, over 35, over 40s.
This first year of the league in Llanelli has proved popular with a total of 14 teams entering. Teams must field at least six players, but often have squads with 10-12 people playing.
County 5x60 officer Matthew Adams said: “We have teams that play XVs together and are using this as pre-season training. One team usually plays netball together; another team is made up of Environment Agency personnel with other teams composed by friends and work colleagues friends or work colleagues. Our Sports Development Unit is also fielding a mixed team.
Teams play one league game each week. Games last for 30 minutes. Some teams also elect to play an extra friendly game on the night to improve their skills. Local rugby union referees have been trained by Wales Touch Association to referee touch games.
Most of the teams present have not played this form of touch before. So far in Wales, leagues have been restricted to Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham and Rhondda Cynon Taf over the last 20 years.
Matthew said “Early indications are that we could eventually replicate the popularity of the game in Cardiff.
Matt Enoch, development director of the association said “We are delighted to support Carmarthenshire council in this venture and see it as a significant point in the development of Touch in Wales. For those wishing to participate in Touch as a recreational sport, the emphasis is very much on fun and enjoyment. It is an ideal way to keep fit over the summer months, meet new people and try a new game.
“For those who wish to participate in Touch on a more competitive level, there is a wide network of open club tournaments held locally, nationally and internationally to enable teams to challenge other like-minded teams.
“In addition participation in the league also makes all Welsh players eligible for selection to the National Touch squads. This could include travelling the world to compete in International competitions against the very best teams in the world.
“Whatever the players and referees want to get out of their participation in Touch, I wish them every success."
For more information on Touch in Wales, contact www.walestouch.co.uk we are in the process of updating the site and are hoping to go live next week. A working up model of the new site can be viewed at www.walestouch.co.uk/new
The interest has grown in Llanelli following a well attended open evening. It was an opportunity to watch the game being played and receive coaching advice from the association.
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