Touch rugby is growing rapidly in Kelowna

Touch rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the Central Okanagan.

Starting with 15 youth players in 2010, the sport has grown quickly to more than 625 youth and adult players in 2016.

Local organizers predict that number will increase to more than 700 players this year.

"Touch rugby is a fast, fun, fitness-oriented game," said George Curran, organizer of the Crows mini-rugby program. "Its growth over the past few years has been phenomenal.”

“The game is now featured in more than 15 local elementary schools in both Kelowna and West Kelowna, and is played by over 250 boys and girls in the spring and 150 men and women in the summer."

In touch rugby, the attacking team has six touches to move down a 70-metre field, attempting to score a try against their opponent.

The defending team can stop the attacker with a one-hand touch and when the attacking team drops the ball, or their six touches are used up, the other team has a turn at being the attackers.

The ball must be passed sideways or backwards, as in regular rugby.

Games are 30 minutes long, males and females play together on mixed teams, and teams usually play two games a day.

"Our elementary programs, Crows mini-rugby program and community touch rugby programs all begin in April," said Curran. "In many SD23 elementary schools, the game is played by boys and girls in grades four to six.”

“Boys and girls can register in our U6, U8, and U10 mini-rugby program and our U12/U14 Youth Touch League through the City of Kelowna Recreation Centre," continued Curran, adding that the sport will continue to grow quickly in 2017. "We expect more elementary schools to participate this spring.

The rapid growth puts the program on pace to hit their goal of 1,000 tough rugby players in the Central Okanagan by 2020.