The filming, which is part of an online video competition run by the RFU, is to encourage players, and the winners will have the chance to play at Twickenham.

Video footage of individual O2 Touch events can be submitted to http://www.rfu.com/O2touch, with an RFU committee selecting the top five films from the North and the South and the winning teams getting the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play at HQ.

The Aire-Wharfe programme continues at Keighley RUFC (June 29), Skipton RUFC (July 6) and Wharfedale RUFC (July 13).

Touch rugby has been steadily emerging from the shadows of the 15-a-side code into a stand-alone recreational sport for some time, and this summer, thanks to a major initiative sponsored by O2 and the Rugby Football Union, the non-contact version of the game is set to spread its wings.

The O2 Touch programme is a nationwide initiative aimed at making this fun-filled, socially-driven game available to anyone over the age of 16.

Over 200 clubs have already signalled their intention to participate in the project this summer, which means that there will be an opportunity for everyone to join the programme at a nearby venue.

The celebrity launch of the programme involved the Mayor of London Boris Johnson and England World Cup- winner Will Greenwood in London, when the former said: "Rugby doesn't need to be a full-contact sport and the O2 Touch programme enables everyone, young or old, male or female, to have a go, get fit and have fun."

To bring touch rugby to life, RFU-affiliated clubs across England will be running weekly touch rugby sessions throughout the summer.

Everyone is invited to come along to his or her local rugby club, try it out and see how accessible and welcoming their local club is (to find your local club visit http://www.rfu.com/O2touch ) O2 Touch is the first initiative to be rolled out to support the RFU’s Choose Rugby campaign, which aims to increase participation in the sport ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2015.

Through Choose Rugby, the RFU is encouraging people to find a rugby club and start, restart or carry on playing rugby, either in the traditional 15-a-side game or in modified short and non-contact versions of the game like touch, tag or sevens.

"We’ve had a good response for all our sessions and we’re looking forward to a series of fun nights out." said Aire-Wharfe area organiser Dave Duxbury (daveduxbury@rfu.com).

"I’ve been around the game long enough to know who the people are who can get things moving in the local clubs and they’ve responded really well. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the support I’ve had.

"I know some people have reached the point in the year when they are simply looking for some downtime from the game, but others are already playing touch rugby as part of their summer recreation activities, and the O2 programme gives them a bit more structure and a chance to play against other teams.

"The accent at these events is always on having a good time in a less intense rugby environment and the invite is still open for people to get together with their pals and enter a team.

"Rugby has so much to offer socially and the O2 Touch programme is a great opportunity for people who do not know the game to put a toe in the water and find out what makes our game so special.

"You don’t even need to play to pick up a flavour of what we’re about – but being involved definitely adds to the experience."

The West Yorkshire Touch programme kicks in at Huddersfield RUFC on July 4 and continues for four weeks on July 18, 25 and August 1, while Halifax RUFC are joining in the fun on August 6 (http://www.halifaxrugby.com for details).

Yorkshire clubs involved in the O2 Touch programme are: Wharfedale, Ilkley, Huddersfield YMCA, Middlesbrough, Richmondshire, Wensleydale, Whitby, Billingham, Stockton, Hartlepool Rovers, West Hartlepool, Bramley, Burley, Garforth, Knottingley, Leeds Corinthians, Leodiensians, Old Modernians, Old Otliensians, Otley, Roundhegians, West Leeds, West Park Leeds, Wetherby, Yarnbury, University of Leeds, Driffield, Doncaster, Barnsley, Stocksbridge, Wath Upon Dearne, Rotherham Clifton, Dinnington, Sheffield Tigers, Sheffield and Mosborough.

To find out more about O2 Touch and the competition, visit http://www.rfu.com/O2touch To find out more about Choose Rugby, visit: http://www.rfu.com/chooserugby.

By
Bill Marshall

Article courtesy of The Telegraph & Argus

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugbyunionbees/9096744.Search_for_a_star_at_Wagon_Lane/