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is a fast, skilful and action packed team sport, played in a
fun and social atmosphere, without any of the tackling you see in the traditional game of
Rugby League. It appeals to sports enthusiasts and those looking for an alternative way
of keeping fit through a fun game. The game is very simple; all you need is a rugby ball,
a space to play and a way of marking the pitch. It can be played, indoors or outdoors,
with male, female or mixed teams. Two versions of the game are played five-a-side or sixa-side depending on the size of the pitch. The five-a-side version of the game is normally
played indoors.
These Guidance Notes describe what is required to provide a satisfactory
facility and form the minimum requirements of a site seeking RFL
certification as a Touch Rugby League venue
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can be played outdoors or indoors. The pitch should be:
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generally flat with no excessive slopes. A maximum gradient in any direction of 1%
is recommended
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free draining (outdoor pitches) so that water does not stand on the playing surface
15 minutes after rain ceases
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firm under foot to provide a stable and secure playing surface
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even with no excessive undulations or any trip points
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cushioned to protect players running and falling on it
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non-abrasive to protect players if they players fall on it
The following outdoor pitches are considered suitable:
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Natural turf pitch
Third generation(3G) synthetic turf sports pitches
Sand filled / dressed synthetic turf sports pitches
Sand filled / needle-punch textile sport pitches
Natural turf pitches should have grass cover over the majority of the area (as a guide any
areas without grass cover should not exceed more than 10% of the total playing surface
and these areas should not be muddy or be so compacted that players’ studs cannot
penetrate into the soil when the ground is dry).
Synthetic turf pitches should have valid field test certificates showing compliance with one
of the following Standards as appropriate:

RFL, Performance and Construction Standards for Synthetic Turf Rugby League
Competition and Training Pitches;
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British Standard BS EN 15330-1 (class SA3 or greater);
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FIFA Quality Programme for Football Turf
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World Rugby - Performance Standard for Artificial Rugby Turf;
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FA Register of Certified Football Pitches;
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FIH Handbook of Performance and Construction Requirements for Synthetic Turf Hockey Pitches .
Needle-punch textile surfaces should be certified to British Standard BS EN 15330-2 (Multisports Use).
Water based (non-filled) synthetic turf hockey surfaces can also be used, although these
normally require watering prior to use to ensure foot grip is not too high.
If other types of playing surfaces are being considered, approval should be obtained
from the RFL.e following outdoor surfaces are considered suitable
If an outdoor pitch is not fenced it should be checked before use to ensure that it is clear
of detritus (dog fouling, broken glass, sharp objects, etc.) and litter
Indoor versions of the game can be played on:
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Third generation(3G) synthetic turf complying to BS EN 15530-1
Indoor sports hall flooring complying with BS EN 14904
The pitch should have a suitable maintenance programme in operation to ensure it is
maintained to provide a safe and satisfactory playing environment.
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The pitch has three elements:
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The playing area
Two in-goal areas, one at either end
Side and end run-offs; to ensure players do not collide with walls, fences etc.
when running off the playing area
If a pitch is located indoors the building’s walls can form the boundary of the playing area
(like 5 a-side football) meaning there is no need for run-offs on the touch lines. In this
setup the walls should be flush-faced and impact resistant. Options include plywood, fair
faced brick, painted block work and frameless or flush-framed glazed panels. Doors and
door frames should be flush with the internal surfaces, and should open outwards away
from the sports hall. Structural columns should be wholly or partly within external walls or
outside the building envelope and they should never project into the playing area.
The recommended dimensions for each element is detailed in Table 1. If a pitch does not
comply with these, authorisation is required from the RFL.
Minimum dimensions are also given; areas smaller than these are considered too small
for a satisfactory game to be played. To retain the correct perspective the ratio of a pitch’s
length to width should be kept at approximately 1.5:1.
Ideally a pitch will also have an area for spectators and equipment storage. This may be
located on either side or end of a pitch and will typically measure at least 10m x 2m.
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Pitch markings for
are very simple. They comprise try-lines,
goal lines and touch lines as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4.
The markings may either be plastic cones (typically 20cm base diameter), painted lines or
in-laid lines on synthetic turf fields. When cones are used Try and Goal Lines should be
marked in white and Touch Lines should be marked in red.
Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 show how
pitches can positioned on
full size rugby league, football, rugby union and hockey pitches. The
pitches are positioned to reduce play in the high use areas of the main pitch (goal
mouths, etc.).
Due to the standard width of a hockey pitch it is normally only possible to have one
recommended size
avoid high use areas of the main pitch.
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pitch. Touch lines are positioned to
Figure 1 – Six a-side pitch – cone markings
Figure 2 – Six a-side pitch – Line markings
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Figure 3 – Six a-side pitch – cone markings
Figure 4 – five a-side pitch – Line markings
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Figure 5 – Two six a-side pitches on a full size rugby league pitch – cone markings
Figure 6 – Two six a-side pitches on a full size football pitch – cone markings
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Figure 7 – Two six a-side pitches on a full size rugby union pitch – cone markings
Figure 8 – one six a-side pitch on a full size hockey pitch – cone markings
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Outdoor pitches
Touch Rugby League pitches should be lit to allow evening play in the winter months. The
lighting levels on each pitch should comply with Table 2. For social play and training a lower
level of lighting may be used.
Indoor pitches
If
is played in indoor football halls the lighting levels should
at least be similar to the levels specified for outdoor facilities.
If the game is played in indoor multi-sports halls the lighting will normally have been
designed for other sports such as badminton and basketball, etc. and will exceed the
minimum lighting levels considered necessary for
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.
In addition to the pitch a
facility should have ancillary support
accommodation to help provide a welcoming and enjoyable playing experience. The scale
of the support accommodation will depend upon the size of the facility and the extent of
activities to be held, but every RFL Authorised Touch Rugby League facility should have:
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Reception area
Car parking for at least 40 cars
Changing accommodation (minimum 10 male and 10 female)
Changing accommodation for match officials (preferable)
Toilets (male and female)
Refreshment area
Provision for first aid
Guidance on appropriate designs for car parking, changing accommodation, etc. is
available from the Facilities and Planning pages of the Sport England web site.
The facility operator shall also have adequate public liability insurance to cover the use of
the facility for
.
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www.playtouchrugbyleague.co.uk
@PlayTouchRL #PlayTouchRL
Play Touch Rugby League
www.sportengland.org/facilities-planning
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