Following the success and growth of Kingswood Rugby Football Clubs’ (KRFC) walking rugby section launched in May 2017 the club ran its first festival/tournament in May 2018. Since then walking rugby participation has continued to grow in popularity not just throughout the South West but across the whole of England and Wales.
Kingswood RFC has since continued to be proactive by participating in festivals and tournaments held across the South of England and have continued to develop good relationships with several clubs in South Wales, playing by invitation at some of their Welsh Rugby Union sponsored events. They are also forging strong links with local clubs in their area including Trowbridge RFC, Melksham RFC, Ashley Down Old Boys RFC, Hornets RFC, Trowbridge RFC, Chippenham RFC, Broad Plain Pioneers RFC and North Bristol RFC, sharing in mixed training sessions.
KRFC currently has a membership of 50 (plus) playing members with a strong training group of 30 or more participating at their regular Wednesday evening sessions and up to 18 taking part in their Thursday morning sessions.
The Walking Rugby Festival circuit for 2024 is now starting up and KRFC there are currently invitations for a number of festivals already in the calendar; Lowestoft RFC, Guildfordians, RFC, Salisbury RFC, Kendal RFC, Morristons RFC, Esher RFC and Crickhowell RFC, there will be more added
KRFC will be holding their Walking Rugby Festival at their Grimsbury Road playing field on Saturday 13th July 2024.
It is anticipated that this years’ event might do better than last year where we had 32 teams participating making this the largest Walking Rugby Festival held to date, with the full teams list to be confirmed nearer the date.
Description of how Walking Rugby is played
Walking Rugby is a simplified form of Rugby Union and is primarily targeted at older players (55 years plus) but can include players of any age, gender, physical or mental ability.
Teams are encouraged to adopt this ‘inclusive’ approach when attending Festivals and play according to the RFU’s adopted core values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship with the emphasis on fun and non-aggressive play.
The game is a form of ‘walking’ touch rugby that limits the levels of physical contact whilst allowing players to experience working as part of a team (usually 7 players), score tries and get a good level of exercise.
Games are generally played over two halves of seven minutes each with a two minute change around at half time with rolling replacements throughout the playing period.
KRFC are seeking local and wider area publicity for this event and see this as an opportunity to promote the ethos and health benefits of Walking Rugby to local communities, giving it the air of publicity that it rightly deserves.
On Saturday 13th July anyone interested in coming to watch and support KRFC’s Titans Walking Rugby Festival will be very welcome.
There will be a full afternoon of walking rugby games, food, teas, coffees and iced cream (hopefully) will be available on site. The clubhouse and bar will be open from 11.30 a.m. serving a range of beers, wines and spirits plus a live band providing entertainment immediately following the end of the playing activities.
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If you would like any more information please contact;
Kingswood Walking Rugby Festival Organising Committee
e-mail: festivals@festivalkingswoodrfcwalkingrugby-co-uk
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