England Rugby Ladies & Bristol Rugby ladies, Amber Reed, to lead O2 Touch session at St Mary’s Old Boys tonight, Tues 3rd May

image3St Mary’s Old Boys RFC has recently become an official O2 Touch Centre with the backing of the RFU. Funding will be received for the first three years of the programme, ensuring that in years 4 onwards the club still continues to run O2 Touch but by that stage should be self-sufficient.  Volunteers have been recruited – 3 Operators, who will run the sessions, book facilities, organise fixtures etc and 2 Ambassadors, who will work in a more promotional role driving social media, organising socials, and promoting O2 Touch in the local community.  Kit has been provided for the 5 volunteers as well as equipment including balls, bibs and cones with branded flags and banners to help advertise the centre..

Training for volunteers will be provided by the RFU throughout the year and their partner, the England Touch Association, who provide Touch specific refereeing and coaching courses for free to O2 Touch centres. In fact, on 15th May the local Touch volunteers will be attending the Touch Takeover at Twickenham with on pitch training sessions and interactive workshops to increase the numbers playing Touch in Bradley Stoke.

image2Touch is a great way to improve fitness and have fun, whether you’re 16 or 80, a beginner or seasoned player. Sessions are inclusive, giving the perfect opportunity to get together with mates or meet new people. St Mary’s now has 50 registered players including some from outside of the club who have seen social media posts about the new venture. Some parents of the Bradley Stoke Youth players have joined and two mums, who have never picked up rugby ball previously, have just signed up to a forthcoming 2 touch Referees course. O2 Touch at St Mary’s Old Boys will run a minimum of 30 sessions throughout the year – ensuring it’s not just a summer only activity. Once players are registered they can access training sessions and games advertised on the O2 Touch website and app.

Sessions take place every Tuesday 1830hrs – 2000hrs at St Mary’s Old Boys RFC. During the Winter season, sessions will be utilise local astro turf sites or indoor sports halls. New players welcome – even those who have never thrown an oval shaped ball before!

For more info, look up Facebook.com/SmobTouch, follow us on Twitter @SMOB_TouchRugby or email [email protected]

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