A few facts to be going on with…
Description: Walking Rugby is a softer and simpler version of the traditional rugby game - it’s slower and there are no scrums.
The aim: To get active and have fun!
Meetings: Thursdays 5.30 – 6.30pm. At Norton Playing Fields in the summer and at Townstal Community Hall in the winter.
Number of members: 8-12 players each week.
Age limit: None at all!
A player’s thoughts : “It really is great fun, it might seem relaxed but you do work up quite a sweat and feel like you’ve earnt your dinner!”
When you think of rugby you probably picture big strapping men charging about a pitch and a catalogue of game-related injuries including broken ribs, flattened noses and cauliflower ears! So not necessarily the kind of sport you consider taking up when you reach 50! But there is a new softened version of the game, which is taking over sports fields and halls across Britain. Walking rugby does exactly what it says on the tin. Players stick to the fundamental rules of the game but there are no hard tackles or scrums and, as the name suggests, there’s no running.
A version of a tackle is made by a two-handed touch to the player’s upper body; they must then immediately release the ball. Players score a try by walking over the line carrying the ball or, if playing indoors, touching the wall with the ball. There are between three and seven players on each team and a game consists of four five minute quarters, each with a minute or two to break in between.
Dartmouth’s club…
Our very own Dartmouth team was created in September last year. The co-ordinator is Yvonne Cottam: “The chair of the Dartmouth Rugby Football Club, Brads, decided he wanted to start a game that was lighter than traditional rugby to try and get more people involved, but he wasn’t sure how to go about it - so he asked me to help. We went to a festival in Exeter to see how it worked then had a trial session on Coronation Park and about 15 people turned up! It went from there really.”
Who goes….
It’s open to all ages, abilities and both sexes. Yvonne says it attracts people who’ve never picked up a ball and veterans of the game who can’t bear to give it up: “If you play a game like tennis you can pretty much continue until you can’t move around anymore, but if your sport is rugby, generally you need to give up when you reach 50 as it’s such a demanding activity. This is the next best thing.”
What’s the big idea?....
It’s all about keeping active whatever your age. Although it was first created with ‘retirees’ in mind, more and more young people are getting in on the act. The Dartmouth club has a couple of ladies who’re under 30 and many people who’re still working: “Our referee is a builder, we also have fishermen and a nursery worker. One member has cerebral palsy and learning difficulties - she is an avid Exeter Chiefs fan and when she found out about us she asked to join and she’s fitted in very well.” Team members say as well as keeping fit they come because it’s a good laugh and no one takes it too seriously. The team are now competing against other clubs and hope to take part in a festival in Topsham over the summer.
Want to join? Call Yvonne on 01803 835251
First published in By The Dart magazine May 2019