Going Out: Get a feel for rugby at the Zurich Corporate Touch 6s

Matt Jones - Editor 10:03 21/12/2015
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  • Touch is a great form of high intensity training.

    The dust might be settling on this year’s Dubai Rugby Sevens, but the season is still very much alive for the oval ball and the Zurich Corporate Touch 6s is set to be another great day in the UAE’s sporting calendar.

    The event, already in its fifth year, encourages healthy corporate competition among employees, but without the fear of black eyes or cauliflower ears due to touch being a minimal contact sport.

    The Zurich Corporate Touch 6s is being held on Friday, March 4, 2016, at the Jebel Ali Centre of Excellence, the home ground of Jebel Ali Dragons. The game of touch combines rugby league, union and basketball, with special emphasis placed on ball skills, agility, teamwork and fitness.

    With no tackling, no scrums and no kicking, it offers the chance for men and women of all ages and fitness levels to get out from behind their desks and take part. Touch is starting to take off in the UAE and it’s easy to see why, as it’s a great form of high intensity interval training, with 610 calories burned per hour of playing. A distance of more than 3,000 metres is covered per 20-minute fixture and, on average, players work at 80 per cent of their maximum heart rate during a game.

    There will be kids activities on offer.

    Jane Sabugueiro, partner at event organisers Corporate Affair Event Management, said: “There is a lot of support and enthusiasm for touch in the region and that’s why the Zurich Corporate Touch 6s continues to go from strength to strength.

    “This is largely due to the sport’s inclusivity, and also because the risk of serious injury is simply not on the agenda with touch. We hope to get more than 20 teams signed up for next year’s event, which promises not only a great day of sporting prowess, but also provides the perfect backdrop for a fun, corporate family day out.

    “With plenty of kids’ activities on offer, including a dedicated kids’ skills session, the chance to win some fantastic lucky draw prizes and a wide variety of refreshments – there really is something for everyone to enjoy.

    “So, we are urging companies in the UAE to throw their hats into the ring and make a claim for the much-coveted championship trophy – there really is all to play for.”

    Even if you’re interested but have no real experience or idea of how to play touch, Middle East Touch will run specialist coaching clinics for teams in the lead up to the tournament, providing all the training, advice and general knowhow required to ensure teams are fully-prepared and pitch-ready to go head-to-head on the day.

    Team registration is now officially open by visiting www.UAECorporateTouch6s.com. Teams can consist of up 14 people, 12 of whom need to be current full-time employees, their spouses, children or parents.

    What: Zurich Corporate Touch 6s
    Where: Jebel Ali Centre of Excellence
    When: March 4, 2016
    Contact: Visit www.UAECorporateTouch6s.com now to register your team

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