National Disability Tag Rugby Festival 2011
Published on: 6th October 2011
Headingley Carnegie Stadium, the home of Leeds Rugby hosted the Leeds City Council facilitated festival on Tuesday the 27th September involving over 250 junior, youth and adult players.
Playing under the hot late summer sun over 250 junior, youth and adult players enjoyed theopportunity to play on the main pitch. Teams throughout Yorkshire attended the annual festivalwhich has now been running for over 10 years.
The youngest player was 11 years of age withthe eldest being 67 years of age, which showed the ability of the game to be accessible for all.
Community coaches and the Leeds Referees Society members officiated the games and assisted the teams.Mixed gender teams contested the Tag Rugby which is a non-contact team game where eachplayer wears a belt with two Velcro tags attached.
Play is similar to rugby league and union withattacking players attempting to dodge, evade and pass a rugby ball while defenders attempt toprevent them scoring by "tagging" – removing a tag attached to the ball carrier.
The rules arean agreed combination from both rugby codes. The special partnership between the keypartners within Leeds allows a productive use of resources and enables more disability groupsto be involved.Special guest in the afternoon was Ronnie the Rhino who was a great hit with all players,signing autographs and trying his hand at the game.
At the closing ceremony three first teamRhinos players, Weller Hauraki, Kyle Amor and Kylie Leuluai presented certificates to all theteams and commented on the obvious enjoyment on the faces of the players.
It is hoped from the day a Leeds based Tag Rugby team will be set up for any interestedplayers, information will be sent to all teams when confirmed.
For further information on Disability Tag Rugby or Rugby opportunities in Leeds please contact:E-mail: andrew.g.wilson@leeds.gov.uk Tel: 0113 3950163
