Exciting new partnership expands Touch Rugby skills into even more primary schools

The England Touch Association (ETA) and Boing have announced an exciting new partnership which will introduce primary school age children across the country to the core skills which underpin Touch Rugby.

2022 saw the ETA launch Super6, a version of Touch Rugby specifically designed for schools to introduce the sport to new young players, which was successfully rolled out by coaching providers and teachers, and at events such as regional School Games at several locations.

Of course, game time is where wins and losses are determined, but the preparation needs to happen beforehand, and it is here where the partnership between the ETA and Boing will have its impact.

The two organisations have worked closely together on a number of special games to introduce children and young people to the handling skills, ability to create space and then capitalise on it, defensive structures, communication, and teamwork which will all be needed on the Touch Rugby field itself.

Boing – whose range of partners already includes Sport England, Active Communities Network, Street Games, the England and Wales Cricket Board, UK Coaching and the EFL Trust, among others – has the underlying ethos of unlocking the power of play to help people discover the joy of movement. Boing create active, accessible and playful learning spaces that support children to use their imaginations to solve problems, and develop their physical literacies.

Boing is also dedicated to generating and disseminating the latest research into children’s physical literacy, which then feeds into continuing professional development programmes and designing inclusive activities for children of all ages and abilities to enjoy.

The expertise within Boing’s team and understanding of the ETA’s ambitions in making Touch Rugby a sport and activity to be enjoyed by children and young people of all ages and backgrounds made them an ideal partner, according to ETA General Manager, Sammie Phillips.

“The overwhelming feedback from teachers and schools is that they love Touch Rugby, but that they would also appreciate a range of resources to help them develop the core skills needed for the sport,” she says.

“As a small organisation we need the right partners to help us be able to deliver requests like that, and we had no hesitation in agreeing this new partnership with Boing.

“The games are imaginative and engaging, and can be played on a space as small as a tennis court or indoor netball court, making them accessible even to schools with limited space available for PE.

“The Boing team have been really easy to work with, with a positive attitude and a good understanding of where we’re wanting to take the sport.”

Boing’s Head of Learning and Development, Ben Franks, says that Touch Rugby is an ideal sport to have within the organisation’s portfolio.

“We’ve loved working with Sammie and the rest of the England Touch team, both for their professionalism as well as ambitions to grow the sport, especially within schools,” he says.

“Touch Rugby is a great fit for Boing. The underpinning movement skills aid young people to move in really fluent and dynamic ways and we have really enjoyed the challenge of combining the Super6 programme with our Boing principles.

“In the England Touch PlayBox, powered by Boing, we have providing a set of PlayGames inviting learners to explore the Super6 skills in a playful and explorative manner at the start of their journey, supporting them to step in to the game of Touch.”

To find out more about Boing visit boingkids.co.uk