Guernsey Touch hoping for new approach in 2023

Saturday 25 February 2023

The new Guernsey Touch Committee is looking to develop different ideas and initiatives this year and are inviting people to participate in free learn to play sessions starting next week.

Tasters will be held on Sunday 5 March and Sunday 12 March to run through the new format of the beginners spring league between 14:45 and 16:45.

A seven-week league will then follow from March 19, with a four-week tournament afterwards. 

The league costs £35 per person and can be found on Touch’s social media page.

All events are held at the KGV Playing Fields.

Hannah Dunnell, the new Chair for Guernsey Touch, said the taster sessions are a perfect way for people to try out the sport without strings attached.

“Touch rugby is a very sociable sport and is a great form of exercise, which requires no equipment to play. This is a fantastic way to get involved in playing a form of rugby, without the contact,” she said.

“We look forward to seeing lots of new faces at these sessions – all abilities are welcome and we would encourage anyone who has considered playing to come and have a taster, free of charge.”

In addition to the spring league, Guernsey Touch are organising a range of fundraisers and socials this year to bring the community together. One of these is a charity tournament on March 18 between 14:30 and 16;30, also at KGV. 

All entry fees will be donated to a local charity of the winning team’s choice. Touch Rugby players will enter at £10 per person, and Guernsey Touch are appealing to individuals without a team to sign up to create as many teams as possible. 

Social Secretary and Fundraising Lead Chrissie Ferbrache said: “This is the first time that Guernsey Touch have used the game of Touch to make a positive difference to the local community around us. 

“We are looking forward to catching up with players from within the community who we haven’t seen since last summer, to get back into the game of Touch, and enjoy making a difference at the same time. This really is a tournament where the more players there are... the merrier.”

As this charity event falls on the Six Nations Final the Guernsey Touch Committee are looking forward to having a ‘Rugby Sandwich’, watching the games at KGV before and after the tournament.