COMPETITIVE
OR SOCIAL
TOUCH RUGBY

The Village Spartans are a pioneering Inclusive Touch Rugby club and a nationally-recognised Touch centre based at Sale Sports Club in South Manchester.  Since 2017, we’ve led the way in helping to grow Inclusive Touch Rugby, with the support of our colleagues at O2 Touch (now Touch Union), our friends at Pride in Touch and England Touch.  

We welcome new players of all genders sexualities, experience levels and ambitions.  Apply to play FREE* for up to one month and come along to our Welcome Sessions on the first day of the month.

TOUCH
IS FOR
EVERYONE

INCLUSIVE TOUCH TRAINING

Monday circa 6;30pm at Sale Sports Club
For competitive, experienced players
& less experienced, social players

NATIONAL TOUCH SERIES MIXED 2023

Div 3 & 4 England Touch Tournament
3 Sundays over summer Various UK locations

OT7 MANCHESTER SUMMEr LEAGUE

Wednesdays at Various Manchester Locations
May to July

IGR TOUCH LEAGUE & PRIDE IN TOUCH

Friendly competitions against IGR and Inclusive Touch clubs at Various UK Locations
April to September

ENJOY LIFE
ALL TOGETHER
MORE

Inclusive Touch Rugby is a seriously social, energetic and fast-paced, athletic form of low-contact rugby which can be enjoyed by everyone regardless of gender identity, sexuality, sporting ability, ethnicity or background.  

That’s why, as pioneers of Inclusive Rugby and a leading UK Touch centre, we’ve worked hard to help grow Touch across the UK and increase participation amongst other IGR UK rugby clubs and beyond.

We welcome new players (18yrs+) throughout our training season (January to October) with new starter sessions on the 1st Monday of every month. Apply to play below.

We have over 75 members of all genders who regularly play Inclusive Touch Rugby at the Spartans, with the capacity and resources to provide a suitable playing environment both for those wishing to play with a more competitive edge but also, to support those of us who prefer a more sociable and light-hearted approach to the sport.

There are usually between 30-50 players at training sessions every Monday evening at 6:30pm. Competitive fixtures take place between April and September. These are played around Manchester with occasional tours and one-off dates to other parts of the UK.

Inclusive Touch provides people of all abilities, including those with more athletic interests, a fantastic way to enjoy rugby in a fast-paced, exhilarating and friendly, team environment. It is a perfect way to get into a team sport with little investment into kit.  

Our scale means we can cater for all with our training sessions perfectly suited to friendship groups or work-colleagues wanting to join up together.

PLEASE NOTE TOUCH GOES ON A WINTER BREAK RETURNING IN MID-JANUARY. OUR NEXT NEW STARTER TRAINING SESSION WILL BE ON FEB 5TH 2024

APPLICATION
FORM

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Terms and Conditions of FREE Training offer – The Terms and Conditions for non-members receiving up to four weeks of “Free” training sessions with the Manchester Village Spartans RUFC (the “Club”) are as follows. Manchester Village Spartans RUFC offers members of the public, the opportunity to train (without paying membership fees) for a maximum period of four weeks within the first calendar month from the date of the player’s first training attendance with certain restrictions and the following conditions: Players must be 18yrs of age or over. The free training covers up to a maximum of 8 individual training sessions comprising O2 Touch Rugby Training and/or Union Rugby Training.  A new player may only attend training sessions or other games or events if they meet particular health and safety criteria available upon request. The free trial period offer is not available to players who have previously been paying or playing members of the club, including players who have previously held a direct debit mandate as a player or supporter. The four weeks of Free training is subject to availability.  The Free trial period may be withdrawn at any time and the club reserve the right to refuse any player, subscribed or not, to play for the Spartans or attend training sessions – for example, due to Covid restrictions or breaking our Code of Conduct.

Covid-19 precautions – The decision of the club’s Directors is final and no discussion or negotiation will be entered into.

Insurance – Please note, a player is responsible for their own travel and other expenses including kit, refreshments and insurance. More details about some typical costs a player can expect to incur by playing rugby can be found here or by asking our recruitment officer here. We strongly recommend that anyone playing rugby should purchase their own insurance to cover them in the event of an accident as club insurance is unlikely to cover you in the event of an accident, prior to subscribing. Useful advice about insurance can be found here

Health Conditions – If you have any pre-existing health conditions that you worry may put yourself or others at risk by participating in training, we request that you inform our Club Medical Officer by email here (in confidence) prior to your first training session.  He will be happy to provide advice and look to take actions that could improve your personal safety during play.

Club Photography Policy – Please note, the club can (and does regularly) photograph and video training, social, match and other events for use in promotional communications across social media and other medias – both internally to members of the club and externally to stakeholders, Sponsors, Customers and in print within club advertising or promotional materials. Please note that by ticking this box, you agree to the use of your image, voice, likeness or otherwise for these purposes, without renumeration, in perpetuity. If you notify us that you would prefer not to feature within these materials we will do everything we can to ensure we respect that request – However, we cannot guarantee that your image or likeness will not appear within imagery or footage taken at public events such as training sessions, social functions, matches or otherwise. If you do not wish to be featured please ensure you do not allow yourself to be photographed in such pre-arranged activities such as Team Photos for example and do inform the club photographer of your wishes if necessary.

Code of Conduct – All players and members of the Manchester Village Spartans, across Touch and Union, agree to abide by our Code of Conduct when socialising, playing, volunteering or representing the club.  More details can be found here.

Please check out our other policies using the links in the footer below.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The club allows players, men, women, transgender, non-binary and gender-fluid of any background and rugby or sporting experience (or lack of) to join at any time throughout the season.  Generally, you can just turn up and get involved although we do block intro sessions at certain points of the year to make our development programmes more effective.  

We’ll introduce you to the coaches and other players and you’ll make friends very quickly.   You are always encouraged to ask questions no matter how ridiculous it may feel to ask.

You can also ask our recruitment volunteers questions online. Message us using Facebook Messenger or email touch@villagespartans.co.uk for a chat and info.

We’re always looking for support on the sidelines too and invite people to join us as supporters if they cannot play.

Touch Rugby can be played in normal outdoor sportswear. 

In competitions Spartans playing tops are usually provided but paying members can also buy these.

Although trainers are fine to wear for an introductory period, we’d recommend buying a pair of boots called  “mouldies” when ready as these can be worn both on the grass at Sale Sports Club and in competitions and over the darkest winter months on 4g pitches.

If you’re a total novice at either Rugby Union or Touch Rugby, our coaches will help you pick up the game at a pace that fits you – starting right at the very begining that includes teaching you how you hold a rugby ball.  

Our squads are suitable for all different levels of skill and ability so there’s a programme right for everyone from fresh newbie to experienced pro.

Download this useful document if you want to get a basic understanding of the rules for Touch.

Touch Rugby Rules – World Rugby

Once you become a member you get access to a lot more information on the Players & Members Facebook Page and in the password-protected parts of the website.

Watch videos about the Spartans and rugby as a sport in our Video Archive

Inclusive Touch Rugby  training is typically Monday evenings around a 7pm start time at Sale Sports Club during the Spring and Summer with a usually slightly earlier start time over winter (e.g. January)

Please chat to your Inclusive Touch Ambassador or recruitment by email or our FB page before attending.

The Village Spartans are based at Sale Sports Club with a modern, new clubhouse, located on the corner of Dane Road and Clarendon Crescent, Sale M33. 2DE.

We train at different locations at different times of the year. You can find much more information on how to get to the different training locations or clubhouse HERE

Once you start playing you will be added to Player Chat Groups on Messenger who often lift-share or travel together.

If within your first four weeks of training with us you feel Touch is something you enjoy and you want to join the club, there is an online Direct Debit form which you can sign up to arrange your membership fees.

This covers the running costs of the club, coaching, equipment, facilities etc. This costs between£5.50 – £15.00 per month depending upon your employment status (i.e studying, unemployed or level of earnings).

BEFORE YOU TRAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME WE ASK THAT YOU REGISTER TO PLAY USING THE FORM ABOVE THESE FAQS

In addition to buying any new sports clothes you may want (or kit as you progress in development) there are some other costs typically involved in playing competitively.

  1. Competition entry costs may be required to play in certain Touch Rugby Competitions (prices vary but tend to be low (£2-£5pp)
  2. Tournament Costs – If you chose to play in any particular tournament, players cover particular costs ofd their own such as travel and accomodation although these are sometimes subsidised by the club or a sponsor.
  3. Travel to and from matches and training is at the players own cost but, again, many people carshare (Not allowed under existing  Covid rules)  
  4. We request that all new members to pay a £30 fee to purchase a membership share to Sale Sports Club. This can be accepted via direct payment to the Spartans bank account, via Pay Pal,   spread over a few months or post-poned for payment within an agreed timeframe. Please email treasurer@villagespartans.co.uk for information.

You can set up your low-cost, monthly Direct Debit here

Terms and Conditions of FREE Training offer.

The Terms and Conditions for non-members receiving up to four weeks of “Free” training sessions with the Manchester Village Spartans RUFC (the “Club”) are as follows:

Manchester Village Spartans RUFC offers members of the public, the opportunity to train (without paying membership fees) for a maximum period of four weeks within the first calendar month from the date of the player’s first training attendance with certain restrictions and the following conditions:

Players must be 18yrs of age or over.

The free training covers up to a maximum of 8 individual training sessions comprising Inclusive Touch Rugby Training and/or Union Rugby Training.

A new player may only attend training sessions or other games or events if they meet particular health and safety criteria (available upon request)

The free trial period offer is not available to players who have previously been paying or playing members of the club, including players who have previously held a direct debit mandate as a player or supporter.

The Free trial period may be withdrawn at any time and the club reserve the right to refuse any player, subscribed or not, to play for the Spartans or attend training sessions – for example, due to current Covid-19 precautions.

The decision of the club’s Directors is final and no discussion or negotiation will be entered into.

The four weeks of Free training is a limited offer that ends July 1st 2021. It is likely to be available again in September 2021.

Please note, a player is responsible for their own travel and other expenses including kit, refreshments and insurance.  

More details about some typical costs a player can expect to incur by playing rugby can be found here or by asking our recruitment officer here.  

We strongly recommend that anyone playing rugby should purchase their own insurance to cover them in the event of an accident as club insurance is unlikely to cover you in the event of an accident, prior to subscribing.

Useful advice about insurance can be found here

If you have any pre-existing health conditions that you worry may put yourself or others at risk by participating in training, we request that you inform our Club Medical Officer by email here (in confidence) prior to your first training session.  He will be happy to provide advice and look to take actions that could improve your personal safety during play.

Club Photography Policy

Please note, the club can (and does regularly) photograph and video training, social, match and other events for use in promotional communications across social media and other medias – both internally to members of the club and externally to stakeholders, Sponsors, Customers and in print within club advertising or promotional materials. Please note that by ticking this box, you agree to the use of your image, voice, likeness or otherwise for these purposes, without renumeration, in perpetuity. If you notify us that you would prefer not to feature within these materials we will do everything we can to ensure we respect that request – However, we cannot guarantee that your image or likeness will not appear within imagery or footage taken at public events such as training sessions, social functions, matches or otherwise. If you do not wish to be featured please ensure you do not allow yourself to be photographed in such pre-arranged activities such as Team Photos for example and do inform the club photographer of your wishes if necessary.

 

Covid-19 Self-Assesment / Rugy Restart Policy

The Club is strictly following guidance from England Rugby (The RFU) regarding the permitted restart of rugby training.  Failure to honestly complete a Self-Assesment form online (for logged in players and trial players) will result in the player not being permitted to attend the session.   Strict rules regarding play and contact, group sizes and hygiene practices must also be respected in order to play.  Further details are available from our Covid-19 Support Team at support@villagespartans.co.uk

MORE INFO

You’ll find info across the pages of this website, however, if you have any specific questions remaining, please email our Touch Club Captain or reach out to any one of our Touch Ambassadors.

We have members responsible for answering players’ medical questions, a safeguarding officer and community officer to name a few.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Manchester Village Spartans!
(Apply to play FREE* above) 

touch@villagespartans.co.uk