BROMSGROVE Walking Sports Centre is launching walking rugby sessions from next week.

In partnership with Warriors Community Foundation, Bromsgrove Rugby Football Club and Bromsgrove District Council, the sessions will be held every Friday from 12:30pm to 1:30pm at Bromsgrove Cricket, Hockey and Tennis Club.

Alan Gormley, the owner of Bromsgrove’s Walking Sports Centre, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have this wonderful partnership at our centre. The Warriors Community Foundation is funding this initiative, covering the cost of the pitch, equipment, and coaching. We are therefore able to offer walking rugby for free to all that want to come along and play.

“At the sessions we will have a safe, secure environment where everyone will be able to fully enjoy the experience whether they have played before or not. Touch rugby is a well-established version of the game and is ideally suited to Walking Rugby. We are extremely excited to have our local rugby club, Bromsgrove RFC, on board too. This aligns us with our Walking Football and Walking Hockey model where we have the town’s premier clubs – Bromsgrove Sporting FC and Bromsgrove HC with us too.”

The centre has already launched walking football and walking hockey and hope to restart their walking netball sessions at the Ryland Centre.

Dan Protherough from Bromsgrove Rugby Football Club said: “Bromsgrove Rugby Club are delighted to be involved in this project which we will actively promote within both our membership and the local community. Anything that helps promote lifelong activity is huge benefit both from physically and socially and can have a hugely positive impact on people's mental health.”

Sports development officer for Bromsgrove District Council, Sam Flatley, said: “The walking sports scene in Bromsgrove has gone from strength to strength. We’re proud to be a part of the next step and to be working with such enthusiastic partners. As a council service, it is important to us that everyone has access to sports, clubs and activities that can help them keep fit and healthy, no matter their age or ability. Walking sports are inclusive, fun and invaluable in supporting residents’ physical and mental wellbeing.”

The Warriors Community Foundation is the official charity of Worcester Warriors.