“After an 18-year break and not much real sport in between, I recently found myself lacing up my trainers and stepping onto a rugby pitch again – this time for touch rugby. I wasn’t sure what to expect. Within minutes of being on the pitch, that adrenaline, spark and joy were there. I was grinning like a cheshire cat.
There’s something about the simplicity and pace of touch rugby that reignites the spark. It’s fast, fun and the people are welcoming. There’s no pressure and it’s inclusive – there are men, women and kids of different abilities and experience. There’s no commitment just turn up when you want to and you can.
I train at the gym a bit. I run, intermittently. I surf badly and infrequently. Growing up in Cornwall sport was my life. Rugby, football and cricket were my passions and obsessions – my whole identity really. It seems strange that I’ve managed to find myself knocking on the door of 38 years on the planet and I’ve not played rugby in any capacity since almost half my life ago. Although light in stature, I loved the physicality of the game and punched above my weight. Having been advised by the surgeon to stop playing rugby aged 20 following two shoulder reconstructions, without being too dramatic, a small piece of me died.
There’s no reason why I couldn’t have played touch rugby. But for whatever reason, life, amongst other things, as well as self-imposed obstacles had been put in the way.
So, in summer 2025, desperate for sport, social and community. I found a touch rugby group who meet in Longford Park on Thursday evenings through the summer.
First session, the ground is firm. I haven’t had to sprint, stop-start, change direction, decelerate, “get onside”, for over a decade. My body certainly lets me know about it for the best part of the week following. I was moving like the tin man immediately post colonoscopy. It turns out this conditioning and deconditioning thing is true.
The sessions get easier though. The body starts to remember. The side step and hands are still there. The fun and enjoyment is still there. Similar to Oasis, but perhaps in slightly less demand – it’s good to be back.
I’ve discovered a piece of me again.”