Golden Oldies - Playing rugby in the manner in which it was intended while promoting 'Fun, friendship, fraternity & family'.
Please check out the web-site at http://www.goldenoldiescymru.co.uk/index.html
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As in many sports and pastimes, Golden Oldies Rugby is played by sportsmen and women of 35 years of age and older who wish to prolong their playing carreer due to their love of the sacred game. Some Golden Oldies may only have taken up rugby in their latter years due to the 'fun, friendship and fellowship' they experience as part of the whole concept of Golden Oldies.
Generally, the normal Rules of the Game apply as defined by the IRB but with minor alterations which make the game more inclusive, enjoyable to the less mobile/agile while reducing the risk of injury due to physical contact. There are unlimited substitutions without having to consult with the referee known as 'rolling subs' which keeps the game fluid. The playing times are shorter and can be agreed by the Captains and refree before each game.
Over vigorous play is discouraged at all times and no player can run further than 10 meters (or should we say Yards) before having to pass. This ensures that no one speedy 'yougster' can dominate the game (just imagine the latest player to qualify for GO rugby having a 'go at GO'........Shane Williams!!!). This last rule also ensures that the tactics of GO rugby are very different to the 'normal' game with support play being of particular importance.
Different ages are also permitted to wear different colour shorts and mujst be treated differently bringing another dimension to the tactical substitution game.
Festivals in Wales.........
The first team to follow the true ethos of Golden Oldies rugby was 'Y GOGS' (Geriatrics o'r Gogledd), a bunch of fun guys from Caernarfon in North Wales led by 'Emojo'. Y GOGS have attended European festivals for 20 years and held a very successful EGOR festival on their home patch in 2010 attended by 35 teams from all over Europe, indeed the World.
They also organised and hosted the first All Wales festival in 2011.
Having kept the same squad for all that time, they were looking for some recruits so during their visit to Triest in Northern Italy for the 11th EGOR festival, their squad was boosted by some young guns from Bangor and Tenby!
As well as setting up this website to preach the gospel of Golden Oldies rugby, it also serves to spread the word of the 2nd All Wales festival which will be held in the beautiful seaside town of Tenby in Pembrokeshire in 2013. With a number of teams already registered for the event, we expect this to be quite a spectacle.
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