Touch teams combine to celebrate Lincoln founder

Lincoln Touch and Isle Touch Rugby are inaugurating the 'Mike Beard Lincolnshire Touch Shield' on 12th March at Lincoln Rugby Club.

Mike Beard established Lincoln Touch in 2012 and was a well-liked face on the sport's national circuit. He sadly lost his life in March 2015 following a collision with a school bus while cycling to a rugby match.

In recent weeks Sam Rowland from Lincoln Touch and Isle Touch Rugby's Warren Steele have been in contact to establish a friendly between the teams, who are near neighbours.

This friendly has become the Shield, which will be played for each year, with both clubs hoping that, over time, it will expand into a tournament to increase participation in Touch across Lincolnshire.

“Before Mike’s passing in March 2015 he always wanted Touch to grow in Lincolnshire with other touch teams becoming part of his vision and love of Touch," Roylance told The Lincolnite.

“Mike would’ve really enjoyed where we’ve taken Lincoln Touch for him since his passing away and that we are still carrying on his vision of building touch in Lincolnshire.”

“Having a trophy or a tournament to remember Mike’s memory and continue the growth if Touch as an all all inclusive sport for all in Lincolnshire, has always been an idea of mine.

“Now it is coming to light with the help of Isle touch up in Epworth North Lincolnshire. So will be an exciting day for touch in our county to promote Touch.”

Everyone at England Touch hopes that both clubs have a great day on Saturday, and that the Mike Beard Lincolnshire Touch Shield goes from strength-to-strength in the future.