By Claire Cooper

For more than 100 years, Lindfield Common has been at the heart of sport in the village with football, cricket, tennis and bowls all regularly played throughout the year. But more recently, the Common has welcomed a new and exciting sport – touch rugby.

Since January this year, players of all ages have been meeting to enjoy the safe, but still challenging game, with numbers gradually growing. Organiser Rick Fieldwick is delighted at the warm welcome and enthusiasm shown in the village for touch rugby, which he has coached for around 20 years: “It all started when I began coaching my son’s year group at Haywards Heath Rugby Club,” said Rick. “I remember thinking that it was such a shame that kids only ever played rugby at school, or as a member of a club, and that you never saw a group of lads just spinning a rugby ball around for fun.”

Keen to change this, Rick gathered a group together and began running touch rugby sessions in Bolney, before moving to Whitemans Green in Cuckfield, following an invitation from Haywards Heath Rugby Club. However, after 15 years Rick’s relationship with the club changed and, keen to retain the group’s independence, he began to look for a new place to play. “I have always insisted that touch rugby should be fun, and players shouldn’t have to join a club or pay membership fees,” said Rick. “When we were told we could no longer use the rugby pitches, I knew it was time to move elsewhere.”

With support and encouragement from his players, Rick’s search brought him to Lindfield. “We started playing on Saturday mornings and were immediately made to feel really welcome,” said Rick. “People began to come over and ask how they could get involved. We now have around 30 people playing regularly, including several joining us from the village.

“We have players spanning seven decades – from under 10 to in their 60s. There’s a cross section of skills and abilities and several of the players, including myself, Steve Morgan and Simon Elmore both who help manage the group, are qualified coaches.”

Rick explained why touch rugby can be played by mixed age groups. “It’s a non-contact sport, so there is no tackling or scrummages,” he said. “It’s been with us for generations – ever since rugby has been around and is used to train players. Touch rugby gives players the chance to have a go at some of the things they see on TV and develop a real flair for the game. “But what I really love about it is that I can play on the same team as my sons!”

Rick added that the sessions are already attracting families, including mothers and daughters. “It’s a fantastic way to introduce girls to the game and encourage them to go on to play full rugby,” Rick added. “It’s a very safe environment and we follow all the Rugby Football Union’s covid guidance and procedures.”

Rick is also delighted to have gained support from the Lindfield Parish and Mid Sussex District Councils. “I got a call from a Mid Sussex District Council officer, saying they had heard great things about us from the community and offering support,” said Rick. They have now marked out a touch rugby pitch for us on the northeast part of the common and will be working to improve the playing surface – I call it ‘The Exhibition Ground!’. It’s wonderful that we have found a home and I am both proud and touched that the Lindfield community has made us feel so welcome. Its’ so lovely to be here.”

To find out more about touch rugby on the Common, and how you can get involved, just turn up at the sessions on Saturday mornings from 9.30am to 11.30am.

“We always encourage people to come along and have a go – its free, great fun, keeps you fit and is a great was to meet new people,” said Rick.