Jersey hosts rugby 'Euros' this week

Tuesday 05 July 2016

Over 1,000 competitors are touching down this week for the biggest European Touch Championship ever.

The four-day tournament kicks off at Les Quennevais on Thursday with 54 teams from 14 nations competing to become European Champions.

The sport has been played here for over 20 years and the home side's Senior Mixed Open, Men's Over 40s, Men's Over 45s and Mixed Open teams are all confident they'll do well in the tournament that saw the mixed team crowned champions back in 2000, 2002 and 2004.

Jersey last played host to the event back in 2003 and this year more than 60 'Games Makers' are helping to showcase the Island.

Tournament Director Cliff Chipperfield said: “It is really exciting for Jersey Touch Association (JTA) to be hosting the European Championships for the second time. The JTA put together a really good bid document which allowed The European Federation of Touch (EFT) to award the championships to the Island.

Rena Nelson, JTA President, approached me the week after the Island Games and asked me to take on the role and put together an organising committee. We have been very lucky in recruiting a number of key people with significant Island Games experience to join our committee.

“Jersey’s corporate world have been very supportive with four high profile organisations agreeing to sponsor and support the championships. These are EY, CPA Global, Sancus and Mercury Distribution. Without their generous financial contribution we would not have been able to host the championships.

“In addition, it is important to recognise the work of Derek de la Haye and Sport whose work and support ensured that we would have the perfect venue and structure for the Touch to be played. I am sure that the week will be fantastic with everyone having the opportunity to see an excellent sport played at International level.” 

Schoolchildren are being invited along to watch the matches on Thursday and Friday. The finals will be held on Sunday.