In recognition of the growing number of players in the Try Tag Rugby community who are interested in playing representative Tag Rugby, we are excited to announce the formation of the Great Britain Future Teams Programme (GBFT), which kicks off with the establishment of the GBFT Men’s 50s.
The success that the Great Britain programme has been able to achieve since winning their first World Cup medals in 2018 has understandably driven interest in representing the national sides but it is important that the Great Britain teams remain elite sides with strong depth in talent and selection based on merit.
The GB Future Teams Programme will therefore be the new avenue for aspiring elite level Tag Rugby players to establish national teams in age categories that are currently not part of the full GB programme. Teams created through this pathway will need to demonstrate a large, fast growing, high level player base that can commit to playing and training for high level Tag. They will also need to achieve sustained successful results against comparative international and representative opposition to be considered for inclusion as a full GB team eligible to play capped matches.
Our registration data shows around 150 men and around 40 women aged 48 and over currently participate in Try Tag Rugby leagues UK wide. This compares to around 700 men and 300 women aged between 38-47 and approximately 10,000 players aged between 18 & 38. This summer Try Tag Rugby are launching six Vets Leagues across the UK as part of a strategy to significantly grow participation for players in their 40’s and 50’s.
Players interested in getting involved with the GBFT Men’s 50s should register at the link below. Please note to align with World Cup cycles, players turning 48 and above are eligible to take part in 2024. Participants can also apply to be considered for the roles of Head Coach and Team Manager on the same link. We will appoint successful candidates for these roles and work with them to schedule a trial for the team so that it can then commence training.
Register interest for GBFT Men’s 50s
Great Britain Tag Rugby and Irish Tag Rugby have agreed to invite the GBFT Men’s 50s to play the Ireland Men’s 50s on the first day of the 2024 British & Irish Cup at University College Dublin on 24th August. The teams will look to play three exhibition matches with a view to mutually supporting each other’s development over the coming years.
GBFT Men’s 50s will be assembled and run outside of the Great Britain Tag Rugby programme. The programme is currently at operational capacity and committed to ensuring the successful establishment of their new Under 23s sides. The recent 2023 GBTR survey* also informed the decisions made by Try Tag Rugby and GBTR in this regard.
More details about the 50s team will be circulated once the Head Coach and Team Manager have been appointed.
*Page 25 of the 2024 Great Britain Tag Rugby Player Brief breaks down the survey responses that have helped guide GBTR to their position on the future addition of teams to the programme. GBTR is committed to supporting the views expressed by its player base.