‘The Exhibition’ takes University Touch to Cardiff Arms Park

With our University Touch Series going from strength to strength, it was fantastic to see Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Loughborough Universities taking Touch to the iconic and historic Arms Park Stadium in the heart of Cardiff and the shadow of the Principality Stadium.

Organised by Cardiff University, a club that has blossomed both on and off the pitch this year, the tournament promised a showcase of the best talent in the university game.

“Success to us was facilitating memories for life to all of the players and referees who took part” said Cardiff Co-President Dom Shaw. “It isn’t often that Touch players or refs get to perform on such a grand stage and in front of so many spectators who aren’t necessarily players of the same tournament.

“We had around 250 people make their way through the gates to watch throughout the day, so the only pressure then was to deliver some entertainment on the pitch for them!”

It took 38 tries, including 11 in a thrilling de facto final between Loughborough and Cardiff to decide the final standings, and with no team taking a clean sweep and all games having a margin of fewer than two scores, people were on the edge of their seats for the whole duration.

“We have to say a massive thank you to both the ETA and WTA for supporting the event, Charlie Meridith from Bath for proposing the idea, the photographers, Kevin Hobbs’s team of referees, Sarah Palmer’s outstanding social media content and all the universities involved for making the day all that it promised to be,” Shaw added.

It is hoped that this event could become an annual fixture within the university calendar, or be replicated elsewhere around the country, with England Touch’s team ready and willing to support universities who want to replicate what was achieved last weekend.

From Cardiff’s perspective they are happy to welcome teams back to the Welsh capital for more of the same in 2023!

Shaw joked: “If anyone thinks they can combine a round-robin tournament against the best uni teams in the country after a night out in Cardiff then get in touch!”

The 2021/22 University National Touch Series comes to an end in Nottingham this coming Saturday.