World Rugby has launched T1 which is the worlds first non-contact sport that fully reflects the unique characteristics of rugby, including scrums, lineouts and breakdown.
T1 has been launched in order to introduce rugby to a wider audience whilst also being safer than the traditional format of the game. Trials have taken place across the world and received overwhelmingly positive responses with participants enjoying the fact that the sport is safe whilst still containing the traditional aspects of rugby.
World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin said “We are delighted to bring T1 Rugby to the global game as the first non-contact offering that truly reflects the unique characteristics of the sport. With popularity and participation growing, particularly amongst young people and specifically girls, it is crucial that it will capitalise on the momentum by making the game we love accessible to all to supercharge growth. T1 Rugby was developed with significant input from our member unions, including England, New Zealand, South Africa, Laos and Vietnam. Ultimately, it will provide a vehicle for our member unions to expand participation reach in their country. T1 Rugby now completes a portfolio of full contact, modified contact (via Game on Global) and non-contact rugby, a key pillar of our six-point player welfare plan of adapting the rules of the game to cater for those who don’t wish to play the contact version of our game. Rugby is truly a sport for all and T1 Rugby will reach a different, younger audience, increasing the reach and impact of the sport as we look to grow beyond our traditional nations, communities and demographics, particularly as we look to men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups in the USA where the opportunity is huge.”
You can read the World Rugby statement here.
