Winnipeg Touch Rugby

05/25/2026

Hello WTR family.

Many thanks to everyone that participated in the poll.

We will stick with Tuesday as our outdoor session day for 2026.

Location: Kelvin High School.
Time: 6:15/6:30 - will play for 45min to 60min depending on numbers that evening.

As we move deeper into Summer. We may take a small break. Traditionally August is where there is a small drop off before picking back up in September.

See you all tomorrow evening.

05/01/2026

Can’t wait to see more of this flow of play this summer

04/12/2026

Hi everyone,
Thank you for your patience, and I apologize for the delay in following up after the winter season.

I’m happy to confirm that the outdoor tournament is a go! Current forecasts for April 25th are looking promising, with temperatures expected to be above 10°C.

This year, I’ve decided to make the tournament completely free. There is no cost for teams to attend.

Your team captains have been sent the same information. If you are looking for a team! Get in contact with me ASAP

We’re excited to have several out-of-town teams joining us:
Duncan and the Thunder Bay team
Codi James and the Mavericks from Dauphin
Isi Masi and the crew from Steinbach

Since this is a free event, I encourage all teams to bring as many players as possible to make the day even more enjoyable.

Event Details:
Location: River Heights School
Time: 9:30 AM – approximately 3:00–3:30 PM
Each team can expect to play 3–4 games before playoffs.

Please bring:
Tents
Chairs
Extra water

Let me know if you have any questions. Looking forward to a great day!

03/16/2026

Hello WTR Community!
Thank you for making this indoor season one of the best to be part of. Refereeing your competitive games and watching new players learn, adapt, and grow has been a great experience for Walter and me and our other volunteer ref's.

BIG THANK YOU to those teams who welcomed our new players to our game and made them feel apart of WTR.

The level of competition this season has been excellent. The pace of play has been strong, and the introduction of a few new laws helped create more structured attacking and defending throughout the games.

For this week, the game dimensions will change. Teams will play North/South, meaning a longer field and wider pitch. Because of this, substitutions will play a key role in your final match. Each team will play one 14-minute game.

In the event of a draw, I will let you know on Wednesday or Thursday how the winner will be decided.

Celebrations:
After games are finished, let's share a few bevies at the Tavern DT. Spend an hour or so as a growing community sharing a few laughs.

Games: Two ref's per game that will help with officiating.

7:00pm - Thunder Q's V PWW
7:15pm - Badgers V Not so fast, just furious
7:30pm - Turnip Boys V Marauders
7:45pm - Try Babies V Snakesss

Turnip Boyz and Snakesss both finished the season with 45 points, tying for second place. Snakesss secured the spot based on the head-to-head wins over the course of the season.

Looking forward to a great finish to the season!

02/25/2026

Tag your mate(s) into this post . Lock in March 13th

If you’re looking for something fun, social, and less intense than full rugby, touch rugby is a great option.

What is ?
Touch rugby is a non-contact version of rugby where tackles are replaced with a simple touch.

It keeps the speed, passing, and teamwork of traditional rugby but removes the heavy collisions.

It’s based on the same general principles as rugby union (like World Rugby rules), just adapted for safety and flow.

Why Try It?
🏃 Great cardio workout
🤝 Very social and team-oriented
💥 No tackling = lower injury risk
👥 Suitable for beginners

How It Works (Basics)
6 players per side (usually)
A touch counts as a “tackle”
After 6 touches, possession changes
No kicking (in most formats)

DM with questions

02/20/2026

Hey gang:
Thunder Queens are needing a few subs tonight. If your keen to play and spare for them, that would be amazing!

02/19/2026

Hello WTR family and friends;

I hope you and your players are doing well.
If any of your teams are short on numbers, please let me know in advance. I’d be happy to spread the word among the other teams to help you find players.

********************************************************************

Officiating:
Ref's are not perfect! I'll be the first to say that. I thank you for working with the ref's and not against the refs.

I tend to be vocal on the field to help guide defense as to where the 5m line is. Or when there is a tough call (Touch Pass) or a close try.

Any questions please speak to me or Walter after games.

As we move into the last few weeks of the season, we wish to make sure players continue to up-skill their game. To help with this Walter and I are focusing on;

Offside.
- Wingers are often cheating. Any "lazy" retreating will be warned and if continued will be a penalty.
- Middle's. Often get caught by fast teams. You need to retreat in a straight line and not deviate from it. Once you've made 5m the ref will call you onside, you're able to re-engage.

Unsporting behaviour.
- Let's eliminate any off the ball behaviour. If caught, the ref has the authority to send you off for a sub. Treat it like a yellow card.

********************************************************************
TOUCH TALK: Weekly tips on game play

What is a Positive (Good) vs. Aggressive (Illegal) touch. While "positive" is encouraged, an "aggressive" touch can sometimes cross the line into illegal, excessive force.

Positive/Active Touch (Allowed):
A firm touch that slows the player down instantly, allowing the defense to set up a 5-meter retreat. It is a skill used to pressure the offense into errors.
Excessive/Illegal Touch (Penalized): Any touch that involves "excessive force," pushing, shoving, or slapping the ball out of the player's hands. A touch that forces the player over or hurts them will result in a penalty.
Use a dominate touch tactic

Subbing
- I often see teams subbing at unideal times during the game leading to, often, a try as teams are caught short handed.
- Quick video to help your team's strategy on when to sub.

********************************************************************

Games this week are:
Fri Feb 20, 2026

Slot 1 — minutes 0–14
Field 1: Try Babies vs Thunder Queens
Field 2: Marauders vs PWW

Slot 2 — minutes 15–29
Field 1: Turnip vs Badgers
Field 2: Not Fast, Just Furious vs Snakesss

Slot 3 — minutes 30–44
Field 1: Try Babies vs Snakesss
Field 2: Badgers vs Not Fast, Just Furious

Slot 4 — minutes 45–59
Field 1:PWW vs Turnip
Field 2:Thunder Queens vs Marauders

02/08/2026

Hey all.
Firstly, big thanks to you and your teams for competitive games each week. Walter and I have been speaking about the speed of the games.
This week, there are no games. We come together for February 20th.
********************************************************************
Officiating:
Ref's are not perfect! I'll be the first to say that. I thank you for working with the ref's and not against the refs.

I tend to be vocal on the field to help guide defense as to where the 5m line is. Or when there is a tough call (Touch Pass) or a close try.

Any questions please speak to me or Walter after games.

As we move into the last few weeks of the season, we wish to make sure players continue to up-skill their game. To help with this Walter and I are focusing on;

Offside.
- Wingers are often cheating. Any "lazy" retreating will be warned and if continued will be a penalty.
- Middles. Often get caught by fast teams. You need to retreat in a straight line and not deviate from it. Once you've made 5m the ref will call you onside, you're able to re-engage.

Unsporting behaviour.
- Let's eliminate any off the ball behaviour. If caught, the ref has the authority to send you off for a sub. Treat it like a yellow card.

********************************************************************
TOUCH TALK: Weekly tips on game play
What is a Positive (Good) vs. Aggressive (Illegal) touch. While "positive" is encouraged, an "aggressive" touch can sometimes cross the line into illegal, excessive force.

Positive/Active Touch (Allowed): A firm touch that slows the player down instantly, allowing the defense to set up a 5-meter retreat. It is a skill used to pressure the offense into errors.
Excessive/Illegal Touch (Penalized): Any touch that involves "excessive force," pushing, shoving, or slapping the ball out of the player's hands. A touch that forces the player over or hurts them will result in a penalty.

]Use a dominate touch tactic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXBeH0agNY4

Subbing - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhEGzY4e4Sc
- I often see teams subbing at unideal times during the game leading to, often, a try as teams are caught short handed.
- Quick video to help your team's strategy on when to sub.

Touch is a game with unlimited subs. But you have to get them onto the field in a positive way - this video shows you how!

01/30/2026

Hey WTR Family.
Great week of games ahead and last week's match up's were fast and incorporated much of what Ihave shared from the Touch Talk segments for those teams looking into furthuring there teams skill work.
********************************************************************
Officiating - recapping new laws that WTR have introduced that are F.I.T based.

Introducing a new game play rule: Deflected Pass Rule
If a defender makes contact with the ball while it is being passed, and the attacking team regains or retains possession, the touch count resets to one (1).

2. Forward passes. What are the ref's looking for? It starts with the ball exiting the hands.
A) Does the ball exit the hands flat or backwards, but the ball travels forward with momentum? Yes -> Play on. This is not a forward pass.
B) Does the ball exit/travel forward out of the hands meaning it moves towards the opposition's try line, even if it's a flick, tip-on, or accidental propulsion? Yes -> Forward Pass - ref's will award a penalty.
Summary:
While momentum can carry a backward-thrown ball forward, the key is the direction the ball leaves the hands relative to the player, not just its ultimate path; if the player's hands propel it forward, it's a penalty, but momentum-driven drift is usually play-on.
3. Defense has to roll off the 5m line. This has been a law within touch rugby. I have not been playing it as I wish to ensure the game was not over ref's. Since we are deep into year three, I find it appropriate to incorporate this law.
********************************************************************
TOUCH TALK: Weekly tips on game play - Recap

Gaining momentum on attack:
Run forward with the ball. Encourage players to keep moving north rather than sideways—this creates pressure and forward momentum.
Look for 2v1s and 3v2s. These small numerical advantages are where most of the attacking magic happens.
Attack at speed after the scoop. Fast, forward momentum often leads to penalty advantages and reset touch counts, giving your team more opportunities to build pressure.
Lastly, please forward this video to your players to help them learn and practice running switch lines. It’s a great visual guide to support their development.

Use your middles and links to your advantage—quick movement, strong lines, and sharp decision-making will open up space far more effectively than long passes. Please pass this on to your team.

********************************************************************
Housekeeping & Reminders
Bags and gear on the field.
PLEASE remind players not to bring their bags onto the field space - we have lockers to use. We have a narrow gap between fields 1&2.
********************************************************************Fri Jan 30, 2026
Slot 1 — minutes 0–14
Field 1: Not Fast, Just Furious vs Try Babies
Field 2: Snakesss vs Turnip

Slot 2 — minutes 15–29
Field 1: Badgers vs Marauders
Field 2: PWW vs Thunder Queens

Slot 3 — minutes 30–44
Field 1: Try Babies vs Thunder Queens
Field 2: Marauders vs PWW

Slot 4 — minutes 45–59
Field 1: Turnip vs Badgers
Field 2: Not Fast, Just Furious vs Snakesss

01/22/2026

Hi everyone;

Quick note of thanks to you and your teams for showing up each week. Request, if you're aware your team is going to have low attendance. Please let me know in advance. I wish to let the other teams know to fill in and help.

********************************************************************

Officiating:
Introducing a new game play rule: Deflected Pass Rule
If a defender makes contact with the ball while it is being passed, and the attacking team regains or retains possession, the touch count resets to one (1).

********************************************************************

TOUCH TALK: Weekly tips on game play
Defense have been sharp and fast off the roll ball in the past two weeks! Which is causing panic in the attack setup. Resulting in incomplete sets of six (6) for the attacking team and loss for forward drive. I can see the frustration :)

Attack:
- Focus on completing your set of six touches.
- Reduce the force or lose passing tactics. Take the ball into touch. I.e - don't pass the ball to someone who is in a worse position to receive the pass.

- create 2v1's and use your fast transitions out of scope to gain field advantage.

********************************************************************

Housekeeping & Reminders

Bags and gear on the field.
PLEASE remind players not to bring their bags onto the field space - we have lockers to use. We have a narrow gap between fields 1&2.

********************************************************************

Games this week are:

Fri Jan 23, 2026

Slot 1 — minutes 0–14

Field 1: Try Babies vs Snakesss

Field 2: Badgers vs Not Fast, Just Furious

Slot 2 — minutes 15–29

Field 1: PWW vs Turnip

Field 2: Thunder Queens vs Marauders

Slot 3 — minutes 30–44

Field 1: Try Babies vs Marauders

Field 2: Turnip vs Thunder Queens

Slot 4 — minutes 45–59

Field 1: Not Fast, Just Furious vs PWW

Field 2: Snakesss vs Badgers