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Join the fun with Village Spartans

JOIN US: Village Spartans

AS the daughter of an avid rugby fan, I’ve been exposed to my fair share of matches, and let me tell you; it’s pretty brutal looking.

Anyone willing to risk injury for their love of the sport, though, should consider joining the Manchester Village Spartans, Manchester’s only gay rugby team.

Elaine Vassie, co-coach, has been with the team for two seasons.

“One my friends was playing with the team and I came along to a training session,” says Elaine. “At the time, they were looking for people to help out, and it just evolved from there.”

Manchester Village Spartans have been going for a decade now. The team train twice a week on Mondays at Wednesdays at their ground in Sale.

As part of IGRAB, the International Gay Rugby Association and Board, as well as the rugby community of Manchester, they also play a match every Saturday during the season.

Members of the team are taught all the typical practices of touch rugby including passing, tackling and scrumming as well as tactical play.

Rugby ball

The team are always on the look out for new players, and everyone’s welcome, even if they‘ve never even picked up a rugby ball before.

“The good thing about having one than more coach is that we can split off into two groups, where one of us can coach those with more basic skills and the other can coach those that are more advanced,” Elaine says.

Members are only expected to play at matches when they feel ready; up until then, they can just enjoy taking part in the training sessions.

“It’s a great way to improve your fitness levels and build great friendships as well,” says Elaine.

“If you want to come along to training, you should wear rugby shorts or trackie-bottoms and a training top that you don't mind getting muddy,” she continues. “You should ideally wear a gum shield and rugby or football boots as well, although trainers would do for the first few sessions.”

And we advise a nice, hot, soothing bath afterwards, too…

For more information, visit www.villagespartans.co.uk