OPMs have received a Legacy Gold Standard Award from the RFU for their work in increasing rugby participation through their O2 Touch Centre.
The award recognises the club’s achievement in increasing the number of players through regular touch rugby sessions.
The city side’s centre is one of just 15 out of 275 around the country to receive the gold standard award.
Stacey Chapman, an O2 Touch Ambassador and spokesperson for the Old Boys’ touch rugby, said: “OPM used to run a tag rugby session on a regular basis, but in April 2013 we became an O2 Touch Centre and since then we have gone from strength-to-strength.
“All sessions take place on Wednesday evenings. Summers sessions take place in Central Park in front of the Life Centre. Last season we attracted an average of 32 players per week, which was an 80 per cent increase for non-club players over the previous season.
“This winter we have moved to Lipson Co-operative Academy on Wednesday at 7pm on two pitches. This has allowed us to increase our capacity and so far our numbers have averaged 30 per week.”
Chapman added: “I started playing touch rugby in June 2014 with no previous experience. I loved it so much that I volunteered as a touch ambassador.”
Macus Zanacchi, who started playing touch rugby in April 2013, said: “I enjoyed it so much that I have been coming ever since and have encouraged lots of friends to join me. For me the main attraction has been that it is fantastic fun, very sociable and, as a bonus, is a great workout.”
Anyone interested in OPMs touch rugby should contact either Dave Glastonbury on 07905 447323 or Stacey Chapman on 07527 730325.