Henry Slade and Matt Kvesic launch 02 Touch
England flanker Matt Kvesic and Exeter Chiefs rising star Henry Slade helped host a series of O2 Touch sessions for local students at the Univeristy of Exeter yesterday (15 May).
The event marked the launch of O2 Touch in universities, designed to encourage students up and down the country to boost their fitness and alleviate exam-stress in a fun and sociable environment.
As part of the wider national O2 Touch programme, run by England Rugby and O2, participants were amongst the first to experience O2 Touch in universities.
Local Exeter students and their friends took to the University’s Rubber Crumb 3G pitch to try it out for themselves, and were soon put through their paces by Kvesic and Slade. The players took participants through a variety of skills and drills, showcasing the numerous physical and social benefits of the non-contact sport aimed at males and females of all abilities.
Matt Kvesic, flanker for Gloucester and England, said: “Touch rugby is the ideal way to stay fit all year round. It allows people of all sizes and abilities to come together and get a work-out in a sociable environment. With O2 Touch launching across university campuses all over the country from September it’s the perfect sport to get involved in as a student, and a great excuse to hang out with your mates while getting your heart pumping.”
Ed Curran, O2 Touch Operations Manager, RFU said: “Given the open mind-set of students who are always keen to make friends and try new activities at university, launching O2 Touch in 75 universities was a natural progression from the O2 TouchBase and O2 TouchLeague activity across the nation.
"With the World Cup kicking off next year, we wanted to broaden the appeal of rugby, making it more accessible and ensuring the tournament has a lasting effect on people all over the country. O2 Touch is a key part of this initiative as it is an inclusive, sociable and beneficial activity. “
O2 Touch is a nationwide programme run by England Rugby in partnership with O2 and 75 universities across the country will be rolling out O2 Touch during the 2014-15 season, giving students up and down the country the chance to get involved. The programme promises to boost students’ fitness and alleviate exam-stress in a fun and sociable environment.
O2 Touch isn’t just for students though. It can be enjoyed by players of all ages and abilities.
Current or aspiring touch players can either enter a team into an O2 TouchLeague or join sessions individually at a local O2 Touch Centre. There are currently just under 14,000 registered O2 Touch players at centres located across the nation. There are over 200 established O2 Touch Centres with 38 recently launched in February and 50 due to launch in September this year.
To find out where you can play near you, check out the new O2 Touch website at www.rfu.com/o2touch
