On Saturday the 30th of May 2009 the Rochdale Swarm are hosting an International Mixed Tag Rugby League Festival at Littleborough Sports Club(Rakewood), Rakewood Road, Littleborough.
Teams are coming over from Ireland, as are The Celtic Crusaders supporters Tag Rugby League side the Celtic Barbarians along side a Fijian side drawn from the local Fijian Association and in a first, Tullochan Tigers (Scotland) Under 18`s Girls Rugby League Team and Loch Lomond RU are entering two sides. We have even had tentative enquries from Spain and Germany as well as the head of OzTag (Tag Rugby League in Australia) wanting to come along!!
Teams enquiring/signing up so far.
Rochdale Swarm Tag Rugby League Club X2
Bruff Tri-Stars (Nr Limerick Ireland)
Celtic Barbarians (Bridgend, Wales)
Rochdale Fijian Association
Halton Womens & Girls A.R.L.F.C.
Tullochan Tigers (Scotland) Under 18`s Girls Rugby League Team and Loch Lomond RU in a joint two team bid
South Asia Bulls
Loughborough University
Bolton RU.
Coventry (Fraikin Ltd works team)
London Skolars Tag
Rochdale Cobras A.R.L.F.C.
Leeds Lost Loiners Tag Rugby League Club
Rawden Rhinos Tag Rugby League Club(possibly in conjunction with Lost Loiners)
Leeds Mates Team(just a group of friends who fancy getting a team together)
Huddersfield Giants Touch Rugby X2
Staffordshire Womens Rugby League ClubX2
Halifax Tag Rugby League Club
Flying Horse Pub (Rochdale)
Oldham Supporters Tag Rugby League team
York Crusaders Tag Rugby League Club
NewMiln Community Group(Rochdale)
Wakefield City Webcats Tag Rugby League Club
RFL Staff (works team)
Gyro International (works team)
Dewsbury Greenhorns Tag Rugby League Club
Sheffield Touch Rugby
The Stud Muffins!! (Limerck, Ireland)
Hull University Old Boys (and girls)X2
Macclesfield RU
Oxford Touch Rugby
Littleborough A.R.L.F.C.
Liverpool Uni
Littleborough RU (possibly in conjunction with Hillside Hawks Womens Rugby League)X2
Manchester Touch Rugby League
A Chorley Mates team
Rochdale Council Sports Dept
Queensbury A.R.L.F.C.
The rules are 7-a-side of which at least 2 must be of the opposite sex i.e. 5 men 2 women or 3 men 4 women etc. Maximum squad size is 12. (but teams can enter more than one side). Players must be 16+ to participate
There is no contact allowed, a tackle is made by removing a "Tag" from the waist of an attacker. Other than that the rules are very similar to normal rugby and the ball can be kicked but not above head height.
The event is very much a social affair with the emphasis very much on fun and participation. At the festival there will be entertainment all day and after the tournament and presentation itself there will be a band and a disco. To add to the festival feel teams will able to camp at the venue on both Friday night and Saturday night after the event, there will also be a welcome party for the teams arriving on the Friday (the Irish sides are down to arrive Friday night).
The standard is aimed very much at the social player and we aim to attract new people to the game or those who have stopped playing competitive sport, along side those who just want to try something different.
Cost is £60 per team or you can enter as individuals(£5) and be placed in a team.
Price includes entry into the event, a camping pitch and post match refreshments.
Fancy getting involved? Maybe get a team from your University, workplace or social club?? If you are interested email me (
mark.wynn@talk21.com ) or call 07970 079863 for more details on how to sign up.
