Rebecca & Lianna’s Magic Touch

Rebecca & Lianna fly the flag…

ounded in 2007, The Ireland Touch Association is all about celebrating all things touch rugby, and teams have been popping up all over Ireland.

And some of the very best of the players involved are on the Irish Women’s Open Touch Rugby Team, including 6 rockin’ ladies living just an odd-shaped ball’s throw from one another here.

Two of them, Rebecca Phelan and Lianna Prizeman (the rest being Niamh Summerbell, Charlotte Nagle, Lucy Nagle and Wiktoria Dolgoruki), have been in touch (fittingly enough) about the team’s World Cup debut in July. Taking place in Nottingham, without government funding, the team have to rely on sponsors for everything from their kits to their trips.

“In previous years, myself and Lianna have only ever represented Ireland on the European stage,” says Rebecca, “so, we are very excited to play in our first World Cup! It has always been a huge honour to wear the Irish jersey and this time will be even more special as we take on teams from all across the globe.”

And given that touch rugby is a voluntarily organised sport in Ireland, all of the athletes taking part are self-funded.

“As one could imagine,” continues Rebecca, “representing your country at an elite level incurs a lot of costs – including playing kit, travel, accommodation and pitch hire. So, our team have set up a fundraiser to help ease this burden. We would greatly appreciate any support…”

Boom! You can donate to the Irish Women’s Open Touch Rugby Team’s World Cup trip right here, find out more about Ireland Touch right here, and follow on Instagram here, Facebook here and the evil X here.