Banbury Touch were awarded England’s O2 Touch centre of the year at the home of rugby as part of the O2 Twickenham Takeover. Banbury were presented with a signed England shirt by England Captain, Dylan Hartley. Ex England player and pundit Ugo Monye and Danielle Waterman, England Player and Women’s Rugby Player of the Year for 2018.

Banbury Touch have had a remarkable rise. Starting in 2016, Banbury Touch now regularly pull in 30-40 players a week. Banbury’s Summer touch sessions start on the 15th of May and cater for all ages and abilities. Touch Rugby is a brilliant way of keeping fit and trying out Rugby without physical contact. Sessions will be every Tuesday starting from 7.00pm.

Banbury Touch’s success wouldn’t have been for all the incredible effort by all the coaches, players and volunteers but special mentions to Mark Roberts and Gareth Thomas whose tireless efforts have seen Banbury Touch skyrocket to the level it is at today.

Speaking to Banbury Touch Coaches, Mark Roberts and Gareth Thomas about the award:

What does this award mean to you?

To have won O2 Touch rugby centre 2018 has been brilliant. We started back in 2016 in the cold and wet with 5 sometime 6 players, now in the cold and wet we have a pitch sometime 2 pitches full of players.

These pitches are full of a whole range of age groups and abilities all playing together.
For so many people to be at Banbury rugby club playing touch it has taken a lot of effort and time on social media attracting and informing people about the game as well as good session content and the chance to compete at their chosen level that keeps people coming back.

What does the future hold for Banbury Touch?

Pushing on this year and into the next we intend to continue and grow our inclusiveness, staying with the core values of O2 Touch rugby but also taking the next step up on the competition ladder. We can’t wait to see what the future brings.