An Angus sports charity bringing the health and wellbeing benefits of walking rugby to youngsters is pioneering the game for those no longer able to play at its regular pace.
Next week will see the first of three walking rugby sessions planned by Strathmore Rugby Club Community Trust at the club’s Inchmacoble Park ground in Forfar.
Trust officials hope the idea will take off to the same extent as it has in other parts of the country and will be the launchpad for a full programme starting next spring.
The free 30-minute sessions will allow those seeking to stay active or re-engage in physical activity to take part in a non-contact form of the game.
They will be followed by an optional evening of socialising, watching classic international rugby games over food and drink and watching, then meeting, the Strathmore 1st XV for a £5 charge.
Past players are also being encouraged to bring along rugby memorabilia to share memories of their involvement in the sport.
Walking rugby has been used by teams as a gentler form of touch rugby and to build social links between players and Strathmore Rugby Club Community Trust is keen to see it expanded into the west Angus area.
Trust community project co-ordinator Josh Gabriel-Clarke said: “We want to ensure we cater for all ages and abilities and walking rugby helps us do that.
“The social aspect of these sessions is also important as rugby is a sport built on values and friendships that are established and retained for life.
“It’s important our walking rugby programme does the same and enables those who played before to revisit some of these fond memories, share theirs with other people and build new friendships as well – staying true to the spirit of the game.”
The inaugural session takes place on Thursday August 23 from 6pm, with the next two planned for September 6 and 20.
Anyone interested in taking part can turn up and register on the night or register in advance by emailing Josh on trust.cpc17@gmail.com
If the first sessions are a success, it is planned to hold more next year, starting in the spring and running until September.
Next week, the trust is also launching the second season of its successful rugby academy for secondary school children, with the opening session taking place on Friday August 24. Details are available through the Trust’s Facebook page.
