More than a game: RCL Social Touch League kicks off biggest mixed team sport event of the year

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Twelve teams are set to compete over the next seven weeks for the coveted RCL Social Mixed League Cup, which was lifted last year by JP Morgan.

Touch - a low-contact version of rugby - is known for its inclusive nature. Each team fields six players at a time, with a minimum of three women on the pitch. Its simple rules and minimal contact make it ideal for all ages and abilities, from complete beginners to seasoned athletes - even families, colleagues, and grandparents can get involved.

The opening night offered early excitement, including a surprise result: Growth Stages, a junior side made up largely of 12-16-year-olds, defeated Maples, one of the tournament's early favourites. Despite the upset, Maples - featuring promising young players currently on university work placements - are expected to grow stronger as the league progresses.

Hamish Cullen, RCL's Director of Touch, praised the community spirit on show:

"It's amazing to see such a variety of people coming together on a Thursday evening to play sport. This sense of community is what Touch is all about, and it's why Rugby Club de Luxembourg has supported the development of both junior and senior teams over many years. It also creates a lovely community atmosphere when so many teams stay for food and drink at the Buvette."

This year's league was fully booked within weeks. Numerous companies - including Aztec, Clearstream, Indosuez, BBH, and One Group - view participation as a way to reward their staff for their hard work.

Some entrants, like Eurostat, began as complete beginners attending RCL's Tuesday Touch club nights, before developing into confident teams with increasingly structured play.

Other mainstays include Risky Business, representing Luxembourg's insurance sector, and Buvette & Co., a team of friends, parents and children who return year after year to enjoy the summer evenings and the camaraderie of the game. Travelling in from Dudelange, Terres Rouges Touch features players from LUNEX University - a sign of the continuing partnership between Touch Luxembourg, the national federation, and the academic institution.

As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on who eventually claims the title - but, more importantly, the league promises seven weeks of fun, fitness, and community on long summer evenings.