The RFL is delighted to announce a pioneering partnership with Lucozade Powerleague which will see ‘Play Touch Rugby League’ programmes delivered at 22 facilities across England in 2013.

The partnership will see Play Touch Rugby League sessions run across the country at locations such as North Shields, Nottingham, Wigan and Wembley and will introduce thousands of new people to this extraordinary sport.

RFL Director of Participation David Gent said: “This is an exciting partnership which has huge potential for increasing participation in Rugby League across England.

“One of the RFL’s key objectives is to make the community game more sustainable financially and commercial partnerships such as this agreement are an important part of this.

“Touch Rugby League is an excellent introduction to our sport and the geographical spread of the venues means that more people will get the opportunity to play Touch Rugby League nationally.”

Play Touch Rugby League has two different versions, competitive and social and both versions are played across England. For everything you need to know about Play Touch Rugby League visit: www.playtouchrugbyleague.co.uk

Pilot programmes will run at Trafford, Leeds North, Derby and Newham will commence in October 2012 with a full programme rolled out across all venues in January 2013.

The organisation is the UK’s leading five-a-side football operator with a purpose-built network of 44 floodlit five-a-side centres, with a bar and changing facilities. More than 130,000 players are currently using 470 pitches every week.

Their National Sales Manager James Price said “We are delighted to be partnering with the RFL on this exciting project, which we hope will increase Play Touch Rugby League participation across the country and introduce many new visitors to our centres.

“We are sure that Touch Rugby League teams will benefit from playing on high quality, all weather pitches and will enjoy the club house facilities which will be available to them.”

For more information visit: www.powerleague.co.uk

One of Rugby League’s most extraordinary players, Sam Tomkins, who is featured in the RFL’s latest marketing campaign www.extraordinaryrugby.com as the ‘Wigan Whirlwind’ is a fan of Touch Rugby League after Wigan Warriors incorporated it into training recently.

The Warriors and England full-back was full of praise after the squad’s Touch Rugby League session and believes that there are also major skill benefits for 13-a-side players.

He said: “I think it was good, pretty tough going for fitness. As soon as you get touched you have to get back onside.

“A lot of the time you have to beat someone one-on-one without being touched and for someone to not lay a finger on you and get past is pretty hard so that’s something we’ll certainly take out of it.

“It’s a great sport that everyone can get involved in. I’d say anyone who gets the opportunity to have to go certainly should. It’s good fun and it keeps you fit as well with a rugby ball in your hand.”

Play Touch Rugby League programmes will run at the following facilities:
Peterborough (East)
Croydon (London & the South)
Wembley(London)
Milton Keynes(London & the South)
Coventry (Midlands)
Manchester South (North West)
Slough (South East)
Halesowen (West Midlands)
Liverpool (North West)
Newham (London)   
Yardley (South East)
Leeds North (Yorkshire)
Wigan (North West)
Blackburn (North West)
Watford (London)
Stoke (Midlands)
Derby (Midlands)
Trafford (North West)
Birmingham (Midlands)
North Shields (North East)
Nottingham (Midlands)
Tottenham (London)
Stockport (North West)