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Beyond The Sport

Gregg Cropper

Season 1, Ep. 6

In this week's episode, we sit down with Gregg Cropper, better known as Mr Touch Rugby, to explore one of the fastest growing sports in the UK—touch rugby 🏉🔥


Gregg shares his journey over the last decade, from discovering the UK touch rugby scene to founding his own club and representing England 🇬🇧 at the highest level. We talk about where his passion comes from, what makes touch rugby so appealing, and how it offers something for everyone - from tactical gameplay to physical and mental health benefits 💪


Gregg breaks down how trials for the national team come about, what it’s like to play on the international stage 🌍, and what it means to be part of England’s touch rugby setup. He also gives a behind-the-scenes look at running his club in Manchester, his coaching work, and how his events company, On The 7 Events (www.onthesevenevents.com/

), is helping grow the sport through exciting, inclusive competitions 🎯🏟️


We also chat about:


Pitch sizes & team formats 📏


Men’s, women’s, and mixed games 👥


Rules of touch rugby vs. traditional rugby ⚖️


Tactical play & positioning 🎯


The sport’s global growth and future 🚀


Gregg reflects on his own sporting roots, the teachers who made an impact, and how school sports shaped his path. He talks about the challenges and rewards of building community-led events and bringing people together through sport 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦


If you’re into sport, coaching, or just curious about the rise of touch rugby, this one’s for you!

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