Touch [tuhch]
to give a slight tap or pat to with the hand, finger, etc.; strike or hit gently or lightly.Rug·by [ruhg-bee]
a form of football that differs from soccer in freedom to carry the ball and is characterized chiefly by continuous action.
TAP and GO
We are all familiar with rugby. But what is touch rugby? In the simplest terms, we could say that it is a less violent version of rugby. Unlike conventional rugby, touch is not a contact sport but a limited-contact sport, with the tackling of opposing players replaced by a touch. You don’t have to be the toughest person because you can play touch without fear of major injury.
RUCK [ruhk]
an attacking move intended to advance the ball up the field.
Training sessions are held twice a week in the evenings. Our coach, Rachel, served as Singapore’s Women Under 18s team captain in 2009 and is an alumni of Raffles Touch. Not only is she experienced, she is capable of relating to us and has fully committed herself to bringing out the best in each of us.
During training, we develop our perseverance – both physical and mental – through activities that challenge our stamina. The idea of pushing yourself until you are exhausted may not be all that appealing, but the satisfaction that comes afterward is all-rewarding. Of course, one of the highlights of our trainings is learning and mastering ball skills, and crafting strategies that are unique and most suitable for our team. Nothing is standard (other than the rules, of course), which means you can decide exactly how you want to play; You don’t have to follow the seniors’ style, nor do you have to follow the national teams’. It is your game and you play it your way. Another highlight of training would be getting down and dirty in the mud, diving for the ball and giving it your all. It’s not something that you can explain until you try it out for yourself!
As in most CCAs, we get to put what we have learnt on the field by participating in various competitions. The main and most crucial tournament is the JC league which extends from March to May. There are also other opportunities provided for us to gain experience, such as smaller tournaments including the NTU Touch Attack, Tampines GRC Community Touch Championships and the Clifford Chance Touch Championships.
LOOPS [loop] and BUMPS [buhmp]
an elementary attacking move.
Touch develops perseverance and a fighting spirit in each player. It teaches you how to give your best at all times- even when you’re tired and about to give up. There’s no feeling quite like the camaraderie forged by playing and running hard for your teammates and having them do the same for you. Despite all the aches, scrapes and bruises, a passion and love for the game keeps us coming back each time! We have fun outside of trainings too, during lunches and dinners after trainings and birthday celebrations.
DARE to TRY [trahy]
a score earned by advancing the ball to or beyond the opponents’ goal line.
It really doesn’t matter whether you have a sports background, or whether you have any experience in touch at all because almost everyone starts on the same page. Why not give it a shot? Come get down and dirty!
