Community team gears up for Saints event

A group of rugby enthusiasts are getting ready for Northampton Saints annual summer tournament of Touch beginning this month.

The group, which has entered each of the 6 week events since 2008, was set up by a selection of Northampton Saints fans through the supporters website, www.comeonyousaints.com.

Since then, COYS Touch Club (as they are now known), have flourished and increased their squad size year on year. This year however, bigger advancements have taken place as local pub the Thomas A Becket have sponsored the team which has enabled COYS to purchase professional sports clothing!

Thomas A Becket pub landlord, Richard, said: "We originally found out about the team through social media, and when we spoke to them in more detail it was so refreshing to find a bunch of guys and girls keeping fit and having fun through the love of rugby and the Saints, something we're really passionate about too. It was a pleasure to be able to help the team out."

Fixture secretary, Mark Cookson, who had solely run the team for a number of years also commented: "The support from the Thomas A Becket has really kick-started a lot of other developments. We are now affiliated with England Touch which brings a whole host of benefits and we have a club constitution and committee which meet once a month. We have played teams in Northamptonshire and beyond and it's great to be able to use the Thomas A Becket as our clubhouse for a well earned drink and social get together after a game."

COYS Touch welcomes players of any age 18-80, gender or ability. They train on Thursday evenings between 6:30pm and 8:00pm at Dallington Park, Northampton on the Warren Road/Harlestone Road corner. For more information go to facebook.com/coystouchrugby or email coystouchrugby@hotmail.co.uk.