Walking Rugby, launched at the club in 2018 by veteran Guildfordians coach Roger Underwood, is probably the most inclusive rugby format to be played in a Guildfordians’ shirt. It is open to adults of all ages, genders and abilities with our current membership ranging from people in their mid-20s through to mid-70s. No previous experience of rugby is required!
Playing in mixed teams, the game is a form of ‘walking’ touch rugby that limits the levels of physical contact whilst allowing players to experience working as part of a team (usually 7 players), score tries by walking the ball across the opposition try line and get a great level of exercise. A tackle is made with a two handed touch to the torso of the ball carrier who is then required to pass. A turnover results when the ball is dropped or goes out of play and restarts are simply a free pass.
Despite its name, walking rugby can be a great cardio workout and caters for all speeds from slow and steady to as fast as you can walk keeping at least one foot on the ground at all times. Most importantly, walking rugby is lots of fun!
The Guildfordians team have notched up some notable successes and are the current Surrey Walking Rugby champions. As well as taking part in events at other clubs, we host our own midsummer festival each year welcoming teams from across the country. We organise a number of social events throughout the year and following the great success of our inaugural walking rugby tour to South Devon in May 2022, we are planning a similar event for 2023.
Guildfordians run twice weekly walking rugby training sessions throughout the year:
Sundays at Stoke Park
September to April: Mid-morning
May to August: Lunchtime
Tuesdays
Mid-April to Mid-September in Chiddingfold: 7pm
Mid-September to Mid-April at Charterhouse Club Godalming: 7:15pm
Training sessions are often followed by an optional debrief in the clubhouse or other convenient hostelry.
We are happy to offer a temporary home to players from other sections who are returning from injury and may find walking rugby a useful and enjoyable route back to full fitness.
Keen to promote the ethos and health benefits of walking rugby to the wider community, Guildfordians would like to hear from anyone who would like to find out more.
For more information please contact Sahana, Mark or Sue.
email :
walkingrugby@grfc.co.uk