London Skolars RLFC are bringing an ‘Extraordinary’ new form of Rugby League to north London. Play Touch Rugby League (PTRL) has been designed by the RFL to make playing the sport much more accessible to a wider audience.
The game offers all the thrills, excitement and camaraderie of the traditional game but without the high impact tackling. Matt Cuss, London Skolars Senior Community Officer, is recruiting players now and inviting anybody interested in trying it to go along to the White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre in Wood Green on Monday evenings at 630pm.
There are many similarities to the traditional format of the game. Teams score by grounding the ball over the opposition’s try line, the ball must be passed backwards and there are six opportunities to score. To stop the opposition from scoring, a player must touch, rather than tackle, the player with the ball. After six touches, the attacking team must pass the ball over to the defending team who then have six new scoring opportunities.
Matt explains: “It’s an opportunity on a nice summer’s evening to have a run about with none of the pressures of contact. We can have 50-year-olds playing alongside 19-year-olds. It’s a game for everyone.”
PTRL games involve two, 20-minute halves. Each team has five or six players on the field at any one time and are permitted to make as many substitutions as they like.
At this week’s ‘turn-up-and-play’ session, Bruce Bailey said: “It was really enjoyable. It’s a very full-on sport and there’s not very much time to take a breather on the sidelines. It beats going to the gym which can get boring – it’s great to get out in the fresh air.”
PTRL ‘turn-up-and-play’ sessions will continue over the summer months on Mondays between 630pm and 830pm on the pitch opposite the White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre, Wood Green, London NW22 5QW. Free parking is available next to the pitch in the Riverside School car park. Sessions cost £3 per person or £20 a team per week.
For more information, contact Matt Cuss, E: matthewcuss@skolarsrl.com T: 0208 888 8488.
