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UNITED BY TOUCH:

Touch Rugby in Whakatāne

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Your Guide to Playing Touch Rugby in Whakatāne

In the sun-soaked Eastern Bay of Plenty, Whakatāne is the perfect place to get into Touch Footy. Known for its strong community spirit and love of sport, this coastal town offers the ideal mix of great weather, open spaces, and welcoming players. Whether you’re new to the game or returning for more, Touch in Whakatāne is all about fun, fitness, and making connections. Join a local game and experience the laid-back, social vibe that makes Touch here truly special.

WHY PLAY TOUCH RUGBY IN Whakatāne

A Thriving Community, Ready to Grow
Touch Rugby is growing fast globally. If you’re ready to join a growing movement, you’ve come to the right place!

Fun Fitness That Feels Like Play
Forget about the gym. Touch Rugby is the workout you won’t want to miss! Sprint, pass, change direction – all while building your fitness and making new friends. It’s a heart-pumping game that doesn’t feel like exercise.

Start Your Game, Anytime, Anywhere
Got a park or open space? You’re ready to go. Whether you’re in a busy city or a small town, we’ll show you how easy it is to start a game, even if there’s not an established club near you.

FIND A TOUCH CLUB IN Whakatāne

Use our interactive map to find a local Touch Rugby Club.

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CAN'T FIND A CLUB LOCALLY?

Struggling to find a club nearby? You might be in an area where Touch Rugby hasn’t taken off yet. But that doesn’t mean you can’t play!

United By Touch makes it easy to start social drop-in games, helping players like you bring Touch to new locations. Who knows, it could be the start of a new club! 

Here’s How You Can Get Started:

Got a favourite park or green? Maybe you’ve seen others playing at? It might be the perfect place to start your own game.

  1. Gather Your Group: Reach out to friends, family, or colleagues. You’ll need at least 8-10 players to get a basic game started, a full team is 6 vs 6 but it’s better to start with what you have and grow!

  2. Pick a Venue: Find a local park, schoolyard, or open space you have permission to use with enough room to play. A flat, grassy area is ideal.

  3. Set a Date: Use social media, local community groups, or word of mouth to spread the word and gather players.

  4. Get the Basics: Check out our Quick Start Guide for rules and the basic equipment you’ll need.

  5. Have Fun!: Once you’ve got a group together, play, get fit, and meet new people.

If you’re starting a game and need help connecting with others, let us know! We’re here to support you.

 

How United By Touch Can Help You Make It Happen

We’re Here for You
Once you get the ball rolling, we’ll help make sure your game is a success. The key to sustaining a game is community and consistency. As more people join, players can start taking turns organizing games, ensuring your Touch Rugby game stays alive and thriving.

List Your Game with Us
Want your game to be part of the California Touch Rugby community? Let us know, and we’ll help list your game, share it with local players, and keep the momentum going. This way, you’ll have more players joining in, and your game can eventually turn into a regular event or even a new club.

 

START YOUR OWN PICK UP GAME

How to Play Touch: The Basics

6-a-side on the field (with up to 14 in the squad)
No tackles – just a touch stops the play
Pass backwards only – no forward passes
Six touches per set before possession turns over
Score by grounding the ball over the opponent’s line

Quick Guide to Rolling & Passing
Once a player is touched, they must roll the ball backwards using a rollball (think of it as a playmaker’s pass). The dummy half can’t score – so keep your eye on the play and strategize wisely!

Quick, Intense Games
Games usually run in 2 x 20-minute halves, making it a fast-paced experience without taking up your whole evening. For Pick up games these can run for longer with people subbing on and off either team to keep things friendly and fun.

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United by Touch is built for players, clubs, and the Global Touch community. Have ideas? Think we’ve missed the mark? Let us know how we can improve.

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Everything you need to know about United By Touch – connecting players, clubs, and communities to support making Touch more accessible and social. 

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