Touch rugby – give it a try!

Young people are getting a chance to play rugby with one of Plymouth Albion’s first team players this summer.

Plymouth City council are teaming up with the club, England Rugby and national sports charity StreetGames to run free coaching sessions, led by lock Dan Collier.

The touch rugby sessions are for young people aged 11 to 25 and are being held at local Doorstep Sports Club sites as part of England Rugby’s Try for Change programme.

Players will work on passing and moving using different drills before putting their new skills into practice in small games.

Councillor Glenn Jordan, Cabinet Member for Culture, said: “It’s great that Albion are supporting these sessions and giving young people a chance to learn more about rugby and develop their skills with one of Plymouth’s best players. We’d like to thank the club and Dan for helping us to provide this brilliant opportunity.”

Nigel Sparrow from Plymouth Albion said: “We’re delighted to be able to work in partnership with Plymouth City Council, through the local StreetGames programme, to provide more opportunities for young people to play rugby. Dan will be sharing his expertise and experience as a player and a coach and this is a fantastic opportunity for young people to get active and have fun while getting to know the game of rugby.”

Jane Ashworth, Chief Executive of StreetGames, said: “As teenagers move into adulthood they play regular, organised sport less and the rate of this drop-off is greatest in disadvantaged communities. By working together with England Rugby, we can give more young people the chance to experience rugby in an informal, fun setting this summer.”

Sessions start on Friday 12 August and will be taking place at the following times and locations:

Freedom Fields multi-use games area (MUGA)
Friday 12 and Friday 19 August
7.30pm to 8.30pm

Tothill Park (next to the MUGA)
Wednesday 17 and Wednesday 24 August
5pm to 6pm

YMCA Honicknowle
Saturday 13 and Saturday 20 August
6pm to 7pm

All the sessions are free and young people can just turn up.