A touch rugby tournament will be held on Exmouth beach next summer (July 13, 2024).

Family, friends, clubs, and anyone is welcome to participate in these friendly touch rugby game fixtures, but players must be 13 or over. There are no winners or losers, just a day of fun on the beach. There are up to 10 players per team, with a minimum of six. Teams are mixed gender, mixed ages, and mixed abilities.

The Touch Rugby Family Festival is presented by one of the UK’s leading specialist sports tour operators, Sports Tours Ltd, in partnership with Exeter Chiefs Community and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

The Exeter Chiefs community contribution to the event will ensure participants and spectators alike enjoy a high standard of organisation and professionalism, as well as access to the expertise and experience of Exeter Chiefs community coaching staff.

The games will be regulated by experienced and qualified referees and fully trained first aided will be on site. It will cost £100 per team to participate, and a percentage will be donated to the RNLI. Their presence at the Touch Rugby Family Festival provides a opportunity to learn more about water safety. They will be offering educational activities and demonstrations throughout the day, highlighting the importance of safe swimming, the dangers of rip currents, and the role of the RNLI in rescuing those in need.

George Littlechild, event manager at Sports Tours Ltd said: “We are finally seeing a shift in sports where inclusivity is slowly but surely being embraced. Especially with a team sport like rugby, there should be an effort made towards opening the sport up to everyone in any way, all be it safe, that we can.

“The event couldn’t come at a more perfect time at the beginning of the summer holiday school break. It’s great to be teaching families about the importance of water safety before the big summer holiday rush that sees people around swimming pools, the sea and taking part in water activities.

 “Having these kind of role models for kids to look up to is so so important. We couldn’t ask for a better team of people to get everyone passionate about rugby."