Touch Rugby
A sport for all genders…for all ages…for all seasons…for all.
Touch, also known as Touch Football, Touch Footy, or Touch Rugby around the world, is a sport that allows people from all walks of life to be a part of an inclusive community and compete either locally or at the highest international level. It is a non-contact form of rugby that originated in Australia. It is one of the fastest growing sports in the United Kingdom and around the world. Touch is one of those rare sports where people of all genders and ages can get together to compete amongst one another. In touch, the main excelling factor is each athlete’s drive to learn and improve their game!
A full mixed game is usually 40 minutes, comprising of two 20-minute halves. There are a total of six players on a side—a minimum of one woman and no more than three men--with up to 14 on each team and rolling substitutions. To score a try, a player apart from the half must place the ball over the try line before a defender touches them. The person who picks the ball up is "the half." They cannot score and if they get touched, it is a turnover. After six touches, unless a team scores or a penalty is awarded, the possession changes. The ball must be passed backwards, and the attacking team aims to create scoring opportunities by passing, running, and using platforms to advance towards the opponent's try line. After each touch, the player in possession must place it on the ground and step over the ball; what is called a "roll ball." The defending team's objective is to protect their try line by touching the attacking players with minimum force. After each touch, every player in the defence must retreat 7 metres from the touch. It is a fast-paced, dynamic, and inclusive sport, which promotes skills development and teamwork!
Our Club | Oxford University Touch Rugby Club
The club is open to members of all genders, ages, and experience levels, from complete beginners to elite athletes. Some club members had never touched a rugby ball, while others have competed at the Touch World Cup.
The Oxford University Touch Rugby Club (OUTRC) was founded in 2023. However, our history dates back nearly two decades. Following the 2003 Rugby World Cup, England provided the Oxford University Rugby Football Club (OURFC) a development grant to host a Touch Rugby Cuppers. The next decade refined this one-day tournament. In 2015, OURFC Touch formed as a sub-committee to improve the sport's offering across the year. Following our inaugural British Universities & Colleges Sports (BUCS) season, Oxford University approved the creation of a new, independent sports club; the first in recent history.
Today, OUTRC competes in the BUCS championships against other universities, in the Varsity matches against Cambridge, and in the Town vs. Gown series against Oxford City. We also host active events to improve the sporting experience at Oxford, including an outreach tournament in Michaelmas term and an intercollegiate mixed cuppers tournament in Trinity term. What's more, we are especially committed to building a positive and healthy club culture; one focused on competitive excellence, inclusivity, and team spirit.
Touch is a fantastic way to improve your mental and physical health, strength, agility, and confidence, as well as to make new friends. We hope to see you on the pitch!
More Details
For more details on our club including memberships & training times please visit our club website:
Contact
For all club enquiries feel free to send us an email through the following link:
Inter-College | League & Cuppers
Touch Rugby has opportunities for men and women to get involved at college level in an inter-college tournament in Trinity Term. For more information on how to participate, please contact a club committee member or your college’s sports rep.
