IN TOUCH WITH SPACE CLINICS
The Scottish Touch Association has teamed up with SPACE Clinics to provide Scotland’s top touch rugby players with high quality care at this year’s biggest international tournament. The deal will see the Edinburgh-based clinic provide physiotherapy services to the six Scottish teams competing at the European Touch Championships in Paris, France, which begin on Thursday (10 July 2008).
The SPACE team of four is headed by Scotland rugby physio Stephen Mutch, who has recently returned from the national rugby team’s tour of Argentina. The SPACE team will provide care for 83 players taking part in this week’s tournament.
Gregor Townsend, director of SPACE Clinics and a former Scotland rugby international, said: “We see this as being a natural fit - SPACE has a growing reputation as a clinic for physio and sports’ medicine in sport generally and rugby in particular, and Touch rugby in Scotland is a growth sport for both men and women. We are delighted to be working with the teams as they bid to win the European Championship.”
Scotland is one of 15 European countries taking part in the tournament, which takes place every two years and will involve around 600 players. The six Scotland teams will compete in the Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Mixed Open, Men’s over 30, Women’s over 30 and Men’s over 35 divisions.
Speaking about the deal with SPACE, STA president Peter Faassen de Heer said:
“The Scotland squad travelling to France for the 2008 European Championships is the best-prepared and biggest squad we have sent abroad to a tournament so far, and our partnership with SPACE Clinics will ensure the players receive the best possible care whilst there. SPACE Clinics are known for their expertise and experience, and these will be vital in helping our players perform to their maximum on the field and in providing them high quality support off it.”
The European Touch Championships will be held from 10 to 13 July 2008 in Paris, at the Parc des Sports of Massy (Essonne). The participating countries are: Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, England, Island Jersey, Island Guernsey, France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Italy and Czech Republic. For up-to-date results during the tournament, check the official European Championships website.
The sport of touch is often referred to as ‘touch rugby’ and uses a rugby ball. In touch, the player with the ball must stop when touched and restart play. The game emphasises running, agility, ball skills, communication and teamwork. Anyone can play touch, including all ages, males and females and all levels of fitness, ability and experience. There are about 3,000 registered players in Scotland and at least 15,000 across Europe. For more information about the game, access the Touch Key Facts sheet on the STA website.
For more information about touch in your area, try the following links:
Scottish Touch Association
Aberdeen Touch Rugby
Touch Dundee
Glasgow Touch Rugby
Stirling Touch Rugby
Touch Scotland (Edinburgh leagues)
Edinburgh Touch Superleague
The Scottish Touch Association (STA) is the governing body of touch in Scotland. It aims to promote and develop touch at all levels, and administers the national squad and the Scottish National Touch Championships, held between regional representative sides
The STA has won the right to host the 2011 FIT Touch World Cup and will hold the event in Edinburgh.
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