The newly formed RU Touch Rugby League is the first community recreational touch rugby league for various ages and skill levels in partnership with the sports governing body of USA Touch, a FIT sanctioned body.

Salt Lake City, UT–Rugby Utah (RU), the USA Rugby sanctioned governing body for the sport in Utah, announced today the formation of the country’s first USA Touch sanctioned community and recreational Touch Rugby League.

Rugby is now America’s fastest growing sport and Utah outpaces the country average in participation growth. Such growth has led to the interest in all types of rugby play, including Touch Rugby, which is a fast-moving and fun non-contact version of the contact game.

“Touch Rugby is fun for players of all ages and skill levels,” said Rugby Utah director Kimball Kjar, “It teaches basic skill development of passing and running. But more importantly it’s a community building sport that’s also a fun way to get some good exercise for those of us who could use it.”

The RU Touch Rugby League will feature four divisions: High School, Men’s Corporate, Men’s Elite and Adult Co-Ed. Each division will have limited spots available for teams, so early registration is recommended.

With the RU Touch Rugby League being sponsored by USA Touch the league will use the Federation of International Touch (FIT) rules. As such, teams will be comprised of 10-12 players on a roster with teams fielding 6 vs 6 during gameplay. Games will last 40 minutes in total split by a short 5 minute halftime.

Games will be played every Thursday night through the months of September and October at the Five 12 Championship Field (3197 N. Ashton Blvd., Lehi, UT 84043). Games will start at 5pm and run until dark. Schedules will be released August 29th and registration will close August 28th.

A free clinic will also be held the opening Thursday of the RU Touch Rugby league on September 3rd at 6pm. USA Touch National Team Head Coach OJ Hawea will be on hand to show some basic drills, but also talk about strategies for more advanced touch rugby enthusiasts.

“USA Touch is excited to work with Rugby Utah!” Hawea said, “Utah is a hotbed of rugby talent and is home to one of, if not the strongest youth programs in the nation. We believe the introduction of a partnered movement will benefit all disciplines of the game. The more players have the opportunity to play with the oval ball can only help rugby in general. We look forward to growing the game in this partnership.”

Registration for the RU Touch Rugby League can be made at www.RugbyUtah.com/touch-rugby. Costs are $155 per team.

For more information on Rugby Utah visit us at www.RugbyUtah.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

For more information on the Federation of International Touch and USA Touch go to www.InternationalTouch.org.

About Rugby Utah:

Rugby Utah is the official Recognized Geographic Rugby Organization for USA Rugby and is focused on aggregating the strengths of rugby in the state of Utah from the youth to the elite levels. With the goal of unifying rugby within the state while also developing commercial interests to build the country’s finest training facilities, promote the most elite rugby events and to develop the rugby lifestyles brands necessary to strengthen America’s rugby culture.