Nine awards categories to celebrate the winners, the improvers and those who need keeping in line.

It was a great evening, fun spirits, a few drinks and some great food courtesy of The Lodge at The Real Outdoor Xperience.

This years winners were:

1. Most likely to be late for to training
   • Nominees: Matt H, Alex, Shaun & Toby
   • Winner (with 94% of the vote): ALEX
   • Award: Their very own alarm clock!
2. Intercept try scorer of the year
   • Nominees: Matt H, Stuart, Alex
   • Winner (with 44% of the vote): MATT
   • Award: A too-cool-for-skool Sharks Baseball Cap
3. Best defender
   • Nominees: Sam, Oli K, Nick
   • Winner (with 44% of the vote): SAM
   • Award: A 70’s retro Quints Shark Fishing tee
4. Most chopsy
   • Nominees: Oli K, Chris, Katie
   • Winner (with 56% of the vote): CHRIS
   • Award: A pacifier to plug the hole!
5. Most likely to have a temper tantrum in a match
   • Nominees: Jazz, Kelly
   • Winner (with 72% of the vote): WAZZ
   • Award: A pre-emptive red card – We know it’s coming
6. Coach of the year
   • Nominees: Matt H, Nick, Rob
   • Winner (with 78% of the vote): NICK
   • Award: A coach beanie – so we all know who’s in charge
7. Most improved player
   • Nominees: Danny, Sam, Gaby
   • Winner (with 61% of the vote): GABY
   • Award: Their own Sharks rugby ball, to keep practicing those skills
8. Best team player of the year
   • Nominees: Estelle, Oli K, Nick, Joe
   • Winner (with 44% of the vote): ESTELLE
   • Award: As the very heart beat of the team – A sharks ‘heart beat’ tee
     
9. SWINDON SHARKS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
   • Nominees: Alex, Oli K, Nick, Estelle
   • Runner Up: Oli
   • Winner (with 44% of the vote): ALEX
   • Award: The first annual Swindon Sharks Player of the Year trophy

Well done to all those involved and everyone who voted. Come close categories and voting there. Looking forward to see how the results develop in 2026!

What started with a small handful of players has grown into a thriving club with record numbers at training — and membership more than doubling since our launch. Every week, new faces join to give touch rugby a go, many for the very first time.

Last night marked our biggest turnout yet, a perfect reflection of the welcoming and inclusive atmosphere that’s been building since day one. Players of all ages, genders, and experience levels come together each Friday night — learning, competing, and supporting one another.

Over the past year, we’ve taken part in two tournaments, each one a huge learning experience and a chance to see how far we’ve come as a team. The energy, teamwork, and encouragement shown both on and off the pitch have set the tone for what Swindon Sharks is all about.

Next up, we’re looking forward to our first End-of-Year Social and Awards Night this December, where we’ll celebrate the people who make this club what it is. Awards will cover everything from team spirit to standout performances — all voted for by our players.

Looking ahead to 2026, we’ll continue to build on our tournament experiences at Chippenham Touch and the Cheltenham Charity Touch Rugby Tournament with more friendly fixtures, local collaborations, and our long-term goal of qualifying for the South West England Touch League.

Thank you to everyone who’s trained, played, and supported us this year — it’s your energy that makes Swindon Sharks such a positive, inclusive club.

Here’s to another great year ahead — more tries, more teamwork, and plenty more Sharks on the pitch.

Want to get involved?
Your first session is free.
Training every Friday night in Swindon.

It’s fantastic to see the club building, new people getting attracted to try out touch rugby and the core OG’s passing on their skills and experience to the new-comers.

Trying out any new sport is always intimidating – meeting new people; worrying about your fitness; anxiety about embarrassing yourself and figuring out the rules and personalities to see how you’ll fit in… but in the last few weeks we have had 5 new players come along to try touch rugby for the first time.

Some have come back after a long break from playing rugby in their youth and looking for a minimal contact option as they get older, others have been attracted along by friends passing on their experiences and some just looking for an activity to get fitter and meet new friends. What is wonderful to see is the smiles on the faces… everyone getting stuck in… experienced players working with newcomers to help them understand and work on their skills… and the fact everyone is keen to come back for more.

2 years ago when I first went along to give touch rugby a try [pardon the pun] I had no idea the positive impact it would have on my fitness, friendship group and enthusiasm to get along to training every week.

If you fancy giving it a go… Get in touch. We’d love to see you.

The Sharks took to their first official tournament on 5th July for Chippenham RFC’s annual Touch Fest. We were missing a few of our key team mates, but thanks to a few guest barbarians that joined the squad, we put in a good showing.

What a great experience for all involved. Eight teams; six hours of touch rugby, mixed weather and a few ragged bodies – but such a great local event.

Our first tournament as a team and our first silverware (nah, we didn’t win 😉 ) but so proud of the effort the team put in even when fatigue and cramp was taking it’s toll.

We’ll be back next year.

This was the first opportunity for the team to get out in the official Sharks kit and they all looked the part. Thankfully we played the part too with everyone stepping up and some real improvements, both individually and as a team, with speed and tactical play.

A great evening had by all and wonderful to see team members out there that until a few short months ago had never even picked up rugby ball.

We were blessed with a wonderful evenings weather and the benefit of using their great 3G pitch to play on, which resulted in some fantastic running rugby and excellent individual and team tries from both teams… And a deserved beer together afterwards.

Looking forward to the next visit ❤️🏉

We’re looking forward to giving it it’s first proper run-out in our next match against Chippenham Touch in a couple weeks time.

What a great evening and wonderful facilities. A big thank you to Chippenham Touch Rugby for hosting us and the services of your match official to keep us all in order. We’re looking forward to this being the first of many meet ups over the coming months.

Many of our team have only been playing Touch Rugby for a couple months and did fantastically well against stiff opposition.

We can’t wait to get back there when the sun is shining and the evenings lighten up.

Despite the baltic conditions, we had a committed crew of ten guys and gals join us for a great session focused on passing skills followed by a few ‘friendly’ 5 v 5 games.

And we’re all told that Touch is only for those not hardy enough to play the full contact game. We didn’t see any of those chaps out there putting in the work 😉

Well done team – A pleasure as always.

Skip the boring gym routine and dive into something that’s actually fun! Touch rugby is the perfect way to:

🏃‍♂️ Get fit without feeling like you’re exercising

🤝 Meet awesome new people

💪 Build strength, stamina, and agility

Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned player, our friendly team at Swindon [Team Name] Touch Rugby Club has a spot just for you.

Start your 2025 fitness journey with laughter, teamwork, and some epic games. 🎯

⚡ First session is FREE! DM us to join now! ⚡

We now have our own unique range of training and match kit including T-Shirt, Vest and Hoodie manufactured by the highly regarded Silverback Sportswear.

Check out the details below. Then download and complete the order form with your requirements. Simply return to swindonsharksrugby@gmail.com

First orders will be going in January 2025 with approximately a 5 week production time.