FRIDAY night Touch Rugby starts this weekend and Ardrossan Accies are encouraging everyone of all ages to head along and enjoy the sport.

Touch is a version of rugby in which teams can consist of men and women, boys and girls and the social element is what holds it all together making it a really fun and family friendly sport.

Scottish Rugby Union Development Officer, Andy Duncan, says this non-contact version of the game is a great introduction to the sport.

He explained: “It doesn’t matter how old, young or unfit you are and you don’t even need to know the rules.

“It’s an ideal Friday night family activity– we’ve even had kids as young as four involved.

“There’s a real social aspect to it too; someone usually starts the BBQ going after the game!”

More women are expected to join the touch games at Memorial Field this summer due to the phenomenal success of the Ardrossan Accies Ladies Team.

But they’ll be joined by a lot of Accies regulars who use Touch Rugby to maintain their fitness levels.

The driving force behind women playing rugby is New Zealand native and qualified coach, Terry Bauld.

Terry says rugby has been changing women’s lives in Ayrshire, adding: “Some women can’t run the length of the pitch when they join the team but soon they’re running all over it for 80 minutes!

“It’s really taken off and incredible to watch these women become stronger, faster and more confident.

“These Friday night touch sessions are perfect to give beginners, men and women, a taste of what rugby is like”.

For those who are trying it for the first time, it’s a great rugby taster and players of both genders are usually keen to graduate to the full contact sport by the end of the summer!

For more information on Friday night Touch Rugby which starts on Friday May 6 at 6.30pm, click here.