Swarm prepare for tag rugby festival

Tag rugby is coming back to Rochdale this summer.

Rochdale Hornets' supporters team, the Rochdale Swarm, are hosting an international mixed tag rugby league festival this summer and are looking for more teams to take part.

Teams from across the country and beyond have already signed up or made enquiries about the tournament, with Rochdale-based representation coming from the local Fijian Association, the Rochdale Cobras, the Flying Horse pub and Littleborough ARLFC, as well as two teams representing the Swarm.

Teams are coming over from Ireland, as are The Celtic Crusaders supporters Tag Rugby League side, the Celtic Barbarians and Tullochan Tigers (Scotland) Under 18`s Girls Rugby League Team and Loch Lomond RU are entering two sides.

There have even been tentative enquries from Spain and Germany, as well as the head of OzTag (Tag Rugby League in Australia) wanting to come along.

The tournament takes place on Saturday 30 May at Littleborough Sports Club on Rakewood.

Teams are 7-a-side with at least two members of the opposite sex. The maximum squad size is 12 but teams can enter more than one side. Players must be 16+ to participate.

Tag rugby is a non contact sport, with tackles made by removing a "Tag" from the waist of an attacker. Other than that the rules are very similar to normal rugby and the ball can be kicked but not above head height.

Swarm spokesman Mark Wynn said: "The event is very much a social affair with the emphasis very much on fun and participation. At the festival there will be entertainment all day and after the tournament and presentation itself there will be a band and a disco. To add to the festival feel teams will able to camp at the venue on both Friday night and Saturday night after the event, there will also be a welcome party for the teams arriving on the Friday.

"The standard is aimed very much at the social player and we aim to attract new people to the game or those who have stopped playing competitive sport, along side those who just want to try something different."

The cost to enter a team is £60 or players can enter as individuals for £5 and be placed in a team. The price includes entry into the event, a camping pitch and post match refreshments.

To get a team together from your University, workplace, social club or just a group mates contact Mark Wynn to sign up or get more details:

Email: mark.wynn@talk21.com

Telephone: 07970 079863