RFU Expands O2 Touch with New Partnerships

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has expanded its O2 Touch initiative by signing partnership deals with In2Touch and the England Touch Association.

The three-year deals will see the two companies work with the RFU and O2 Touch to increase the participation levels across the country.

Working with O2, malady the RFU aims to create 75 new O2 Touch Centres by nxt month and a further 100 during 2013-14.

Alastair Marks, RFU head of rugby growth said: “We are delighted to be joining forces with two quality organisations in In2Touch and the ETA. They both have a wealth of expertise and experience in touch which will be invaluable as we look to grow the game’s profile and increase participation.

“These partnerships will help us expand our offer beyond our existing 51 club-based and ten university-based O2 Touch Centres. They will also see O2 Touch entering the league market for the first time.”

Michael Abromowitz, managing director, In2Touch added: “We are really looking forward to working with the RFU and the many rugby clubs affiliated to the RFU, to assist them in creating sustainable programmes of Touch activity that will hopefully become a mainstay of every rugby community in England.”

Gregg Cropper, President, ETA commented: “We have an established framework for touch in England, but the sport has a relatively low profile. By partnering with the strongest brand in world rugby, we truly believe we can take the sport to new levels – both in terms of participation numbers and performance.

“Touch is a fantastic and extremely accessible sport for men and women of all ages and ability, and this partnership will enable a much greater percentage of the population to experience it firsthand.”