O2 Touch Hits 12,000 Registered Players

The RFU has announced that its O2 Touch programme has hit 12,000 registered players, playing in over 275 centres nationwide.

O2 Touch has seen a 7% increase in participation levels since the start of the Word Cup, with the programme attracting 750 additional players to get involved in the sport.

It’s a milestone for the programme, which is coordinated by the RFU in partnership with O2 and forms part of the RFU’s commitment to broadening rugby’s reach.

Since 2012, the O2 Touch programme has been a social format of rugby, aiming to breakdown barriers to participation, by creating an easily accessible offering that gives participants a good playing experience, regardless of ability level.

Jason Robinson, O2 Touch ambassador and former England World Cup 2003 winner said: “O2 Touch is an exciting, fast paced, highly social mixed format of the game that can be played by anyone! It’s fantastic to be involved and celebrating the 12,000 milestone. The growth figures over the last five weeks alone are testament to just how accessible and attractive the game is for both men and women across the country. O2 Touch is an important programme to ensure a lasting legacy for rugby and we hope to see participation levels grow from strength to strength.”  

Gareth Griffiths, head of sports sponsorship at O2 commented: “O2 is committed to grassroots rugby so it¹s great to see O2 Touch achieving such an impressive milestone. With 12,000 registered players we now have the largest grassroots community programme in the country. Touch rugby provides a fantastic entry point to the sport no matter what your ability and with 275 O2 Touch centres nationwide it¹s never been easier to play.”

Find Rugby at Trafalgar Square is a four-day event at London’s Trafalgar Squad to showcase a number of programmes and is taking place until Thursday 29^th October.