RETIRED Pershore residents are proving you’re never too old to stay active by taking part in a new non-contact touch rugby project at the town’s rugby club.
Third Age Touch is already proving to be popular with seven retired players with a combined age of some 500 years coming together at Pershore Rugby’s Piddle Park grounds on Wednesday (September 29) for their first training session.
The training sessions are open to men and women, who are retired, or have limited fitness, but who want to play a team sport at a pace to suit them.
Bill Hurley, 81, is a retired rugby player and said: “I have kept active, walking, but it is great to be able run again. I’ve used muscles I’d forgotten I had.”
David James, 78, said: “As I got older it became more difficult to keep up with the younger Touch Players and, much as I tried, I couldn’t touch them or score a try.
“But I wasn’t ready to retire and I didn’t want to play walking touch either: I wanted to play at my pace. So, this Third Age Touch at Pershore has come to my rescue and is just perfect. Whatever your age, Pershore’s the place now to play Touch.”
Pershore Rugby’s chairman Richard George, 67, has joined in the sessions too and said: “There is a tremendous atmosphere amongst the players – some really good banter.
“And this idea, bringing older players back to enjoy a run-around together and have a coffee in the clubhouse afterwards, is all part of our aim at Pershore Rugby to be as inclusive and welcoming as possible.”
Anyone, whether new or experienced, is welcome to come along to the fully Covid-compliant, coached sessions. The first three tasters are free, after which it is £5 a month.
Call David James on 01386 462 944 for further information on Third Age Touch or Fizz Bewley on 07791 546541 for more either Ladies Touch, Mixed Touch or Junior Touch Rugby.
