York RLFC Foundation launches Walking Rugby League sessions!

sharonshortle
Aug 13
2 min read

Updated: Aug 17

York RLFC Foundation are launching a series of Walking Rugby League taster sessions, thanks to funding from Humber and North Yorkshire Health Care Partnership!

Walking rugby league is a modified version of rugby league designed to be accessible to a wider range of ages and abilities. It's a non-contact sport where players walk, not run, and tackles are replaced with two-handed touches. It emphasises social interaction, fitness, and fun, making it an inclusive activity for both men and women.

Sessions will take place on the 3G pitches at the LNER Community Stadium, between 1pm and 2pm, with the first session on Friday, 5th September. Sessions are open to both men and women, and although traditionally aimed at anyone over 50 years old, everyone is welcome to attend our sessions!

Further sessions will then take place on the first and third Friday of September, October and November and will cost £6 per player, including a free cup of tea or coffee from the Little Yorkshire Coffee Co, located inside the stadium foyer.

Adam Prentis York RLFC Delivery Manager said: "The funding proposal would target older adults by offering a creative form of exercise of Touch Rugby League in the setting of our home stadium, the LNER Community Stadium.

"We are using these taster sessions with the aim of launching a long-term offer, which we are hopeful of doing by applying to further funding, having demonstrated the need for such sessions.

"We want to build and construct a programme using the feedback from participants. We are pleased to add walking rugby to our inclusive offer, allowing more people to enjoy the sport in a format that suits them. We see this as an increase in our capacity and capability to deliver and serve the local community.

"Other Rugby League Foundations have offered similar programmes elsewhere in the country with good results, gaining over a dozen participants attending on a regular basis.

"The format would be social turn-up and play sessions for the specific demographic. Fun, minimum contact and easy to learn, offering an alternative source of income for those new to the sport or who have previously played the traditional sport.

'We are encouraging not only York RLFC supporters and volunteers but we also want to reach out to a wider audience to offer this new opportunity, including reaching out to the local community and the wider public

"The health benefits of keeping active at all ages are well documented and together with the offer of the social element of a hot drink following the game and getting together, it's an important draw of the programme and it'll help with participant retention."

The dates of the sessions are 5th September, 19th September, 3rd October, 17th October, 7th November, all between 1-2pm.

All are welcome!

To book your place onto a session or to ask for more information, please contact inclusion@yorkrlfc.com or call the York RLFC office on 01904 670880 and ask for the Foundation team.

Make sure you’re also across our social media channels!