Community Rugby League is back and so too is X-League – the fast-paced, all-action, limited contact variation of the game.
Hundreds of community clubs are currently using X-League to prepare for a return to full contact Rugby League. X-League, though, is proving increasingly popular in its own right, with clubs up and running across England, from York in the north to Brighton in the south.
X-League has an authentic Rugby League feel, with the focus on participation and fun. People of all levels of fitness, experience and skill can play together and so it is a great add-on at community clubs for boosting membership and activity. And at the weekend there was X-League action in Oldham, Sheffield and York, where New Earswick took on the Harrogate Fire Ants.
Chair of X-League is the former Great Britain international Des Foy, who says:
“We’re delighted that X-League has become an integral part of the RFL’s 'Return to Play' strategy. The rules are simple – just touch the ball to affect a tackle and enjoy yourself.
“This year we welcome back our 'founder' clubs – Oldham St Anne's, Saddleworth and the Sheffield Forgers – and hope that two of our new clubs, New Earswick All Blacks and Harrogate Fire Ants, have as much fun playing X-League as those founder clubs have. Each of them will continue to offer X-League as a social variant to their community.”
Any club interested in taking up X-League should email Ashleigh.Seddon@rfl.co.uk.
