The Tug of War Association

Fixtures

Below is a list of fixtures for the 2018 calendar year - click on each month to expand and see the fixtures scheduled for that month.

Most events are "open" competitions, which all teams are elligble to attend and take part in. The vast majority of events are free of charge for spectators, so if there is an event near to you and you have never seen tug of war, click on the details and go along and support the teams taking part!

If you wish to organise your own tug of war competition at any time throughout the year, please contact Mick Copper to apply for a TOWA permit on 01933 622639. The cost of a permit is £20. The fixture list for each calendar year is finalised during the November of the previous year. If you wish for your event to be published in the TOWA fixture list, then please contact the TOWA secretary at the earliest opportunity who will look into accommodating your request.

January

There are no fixtures scheduled in January

February

Saturday 10th February - British and Irish Indoor Tug of War Championships

Lakeland Forum, Eniskillen, Northern Ireland

Men 600 and 680 - Mixed - 600 4+4 - Ladies - 500kg and 540kg Open 640kg Opening Ceremony – 09.00am - First Pull - 09.30am

Friday 9th February – Individual Weigh In (for open and closed) - photo ID required for the weigh in (passport or driving licence)

Sunday 11th February - British and Irish Indoor Championships - Open Competition – Men 580, 620, 660 - Mixed - 560 4+4 - Ladies - 520kg and 560kg – First Pull - 09.30am

Visit www.nitowa.com for further info.

Dorset Training League (outdoor tug of war)

For details on the Dorset training league, contact Mr. Winston Chapman on 07765 277200. The weigh in for each competition commences at 10.30am, and the first pull will commence at 11.00am

Sun 25th February – Marshwood, Stubbs Farmhouse, Monkton Wylde, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 6DE - Weights – 600, 640, 680 and catchweight

March

Dorset Training League

For details on the Dorset training league, contact Mr. Winston Chapman on 07765 277200. The weigh in for each competition commences at 10.30am, and the first pull will commence at 11.00am

Sun 11th March - Johnsons Park Sports Club, Yeovil, Somerset, BA21 3DX – Weights – 600, 640, 680 and catchweight

Sun 18th March – Kingsteinton, Devon - Weights - 600, 640, 680 and catchweight

Sun 25th March – Pennys Lane, Cranborne, Dorset - Weights - 600, 640, 680 and catchweight

April

Sun 1st - Wood Treatment Bosley TOWC - Glebe Farm, Peel Lane, Astbury, Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 4RQ - Weigh In - 10am - First Pull - 11am - Weights - Men - 600, 640, 680, Catchweight, Mixed 600 4+4 and Ladies and Youth - 520kg and 560kg - Contact Alan Knott for further details on 07976 591222

Mon 2nd - EVENT CANCELLED - Guildford Open, Guildford Lions, Shalford Park, Guildford, Surrey, GU4 8BL - Weigh In 10.30am - First Pull – 11.30am - Weights - 600, 640, 680 - Contact Peter Tuckwell for further details on 0208 979 1816

Sun 8th April - Dorset Training League - Larksmead Recreation Ground, Blandford, Dorset, DT11 7LU - weights – 600, 640, 680, catchweight - Contact Mr. Winston Chapman for further details on 07765 277200

Sun 8th - NATIONAL LEAGUE 1 - East of England Championships - Kempston Hammer Sports Club, Kempston, Bedford MK42 7BN - Weigh In - 10am - First Pull - 11am - Weights Men - 600, 640, 680, Catchweight, Ladies and Youth League - 520kg and 560kg - Contact Dave Kitchener for further information on 01234 720086

Sun 8th – Longridge YFC TOWC - EVENT POSTPONED – Whittingham and Goosnargh Club, Old Whittingham Hospital Grounds, Whittingham, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 2JE – Weigh In – 10am – First Pull – 11am – Weights – Men - 600, 640, 680 – Ladies - 580kg – Mixed - 660kg 4+4 – Contact Tony Dixon for further details on 07717 205227 or Rob Smith on 07791 867895

Sunday 15th April - Tug of War Association Training and Development Day - EVENT POSTPONED

This training and development day is open to all teams, coaches and individual pullers. Full teams are not required - if you do not have a full team available, you can still come along with the pullers you have available, or you can come along as an individual. This training and development day is open to all males and females, juniors, under 23’s and seniors from TOWA teams, services teams, young farmers or other teams / organisations in England. Everyone is encouraged to come along and take part.

Further details regarding the start time and venue will be published in due course.

Sun 22nd - NATIONAL LEAGUE 2 - Lincoln TOWC - Harby Village Hall, School Lane, Harby, Nr. Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 4BZ - Weigh In - 10am - First Pull - 11am - Weights - Men - 600, 640, 680, 720, Catchweight, Ladies and Youth League - 520 and 560 - Contact Tim Lee for further details on 07774 734674

Sun 29th - Thames Valley TOWC - EVENT CANCELLED – Abbey RFC, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 8XA - Weigh In - 10am - First Pull - 11am - Weights - 600, 640, 680, Catchweight - Contact Mel Spill for further information on 01189 413778 or Terry Spoore on 0208 4222 8799.

Sun 29th - Upper Eden TOWC - Rickerby Park, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 9AL - Weigh In - 10am - First Pull - 11am - Weights – Men’s weights: 600kg 640kg 680kg - Ladies/juniors: 520kg 560kg - Mixed 4x4: 600kg - YFC men’s: 680kg - YFC ladies: 580kg - Contact Joe Birch for further details on 01228 658595 or Tom Stobart on 07507603602

May

Sun 6th - Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity Event - Daventry Sports Club, Browns Road, Daventry, Northants, NN11 4NS - Weigh In - 10am - First Pull - 11am - Weights - Men - 580, 600, 640, 680, catchweight - Mixed - 600 4+4 - Ladies and Youth - 520 and 560 - Contact Len Hall for further details on 01327 705219

Mon 6th May - North Somerset Show, North Somerset Showground, Bathing Pond Farm, Wraxall, Nr Bristol, BS48 1NE - Weigh In - 10am - First Pull - 11.00 - Weights - Men - 600, 640, 680 - Contact Pete Dyer for further details on 01934 823462.

Free entry tickets to the show must be obtained from Pete Dyer at least 2 weeks prior to the date of the show.

Sun 13th –NATIONAL LEAGUE 3 - Midland Championships – Jubilee Fields, St Faiths Road, Alcester, Warwickshire Weigh In - 10am - First Pull - 11am - Weights – Men - 600, 640, 680, catchweight - Ladies and Youth League - 520 and 560 - Contact Roger Beardsmore for further information on 01952 510735

Sat 19th – Otley Show – Otley Showground, Bridge End, Otley, West Yorkshire, LS21 2AA – Weigh In 11am – First Pull – 12.00 – Weights - Men - 600, 640 and Catchweight, Mixed - 660kg 4+4 – Contact Dave Hamer for further details on 01422 823397. Contact Mr D. Scruton for entry tickets on 07713 689388 by 11th May.

Sat 19th - Devon County Show, West Point Exeter - Register from 12.00 - First Pull 13.00 - Weights - men - catchweight and ladies - catchweight - Contact Nick Major for further details on 01364 652984 or 07931 756321. Contact Nick Major for free entry tickets to the show by 1st May.

Sun 20th –AAA CHAMPIONSHIPS AND NATIONAL LEAGUE 4 - Felton Eccles TOWC Open Competition

Wrington Sports and Social Club (The Rec), Silver Street, Wrington, Bristol, BS40 5QN

Weigh In - 10am - First Pull - 11am

Weights

Closed - Men 640kg and Catchweight (registration cards required)

Ladies and Youth - 520kg (registration cards required)

Open Competition (no registration cards required)
Men - 600, 640, 680
Senior Mixed - 600
Ladies and Youth - 520 and 560

For further information about this event, or if you have any questions, please contact Pete Dyer on 01934 823462 or email: pete@dyermail.co.uk

Sun 27th - Devon Championships and Devon YFC County Qualifier - Venue to be Confirmed - Weigh In - 10am - First Pull 11am - Weights - 600, 640 (closed) - open catchweight and ladies 580 open - Contact Nick Major for further details on 01364 652984 or 07931 756321

Sun 27th - TUG OF WAR EVENT CANCELLED - Smallwood Vintage Rally, Love Lane Farm, Newcastle Road (A50), Betchton Sandbach, Cheshire, CW11 2TX - Weigh In - 09.30am - First Pull - 11am - Weights - Men - 600, 640, 680, Catchweight, Mixed 600 4+4 and Ladies and Youth League - 520kg and 560kg - Contact Alan Knott for further details and entry tickets on 07976 591222

Sunday 27 May 2018 - Bedford Ladies Open Competition - Kempston Hammer Sports Club, High Street, Kempston, Bedfordshire, MK42 7BN - Weights - Men - Catchweight, 860, 640, 600, 580 - Senior Mixed - 600 - Ladies and Youth League - 520 and 560.

Mon 28th - Northumberland County Show, Bywell Hall, Near Stocksfield, NE43 7AB - Weigh In - 10am - First Pull - 11am - Weights - 600, 640, 680, Ladies and Youth 520kg and 580kg - Contact Joe Birch for further details on 01228 658595

June

Sun 3rd - Sandhurst TOWC - Memorial Ground, Sandhurst, Berkshire, GU47 9BJ - Weigh In - 10am - First Pull - 11am - Weights - men 580, 600, 640, 680, Catchweight - Contact Phil Brant for further details on 01932 882476

Sun 3rd- York TOWC Open Competition - Derwent Arms Pub, Osbaldwick, York, YO10 3NP - Weights - Men - 600, 640, 680 and Catchweight - Mixed 4x4 600 kilos - Ladies and Youth League - 520 and 560 - Weigh In - 10-00am - First Pull - 11-00am - Contact Rachel Lewis for further details.

Sat 16th - NATIONAL OUTDOOR TUG OF WAR CHAMPIONSHIPS - OXFORDSHIRE

Grove and Wantage Village Extravaganza, Grove RUFC, Cane Lane, Grove, Near Wantage, Oxfordshire, OX12 0FL

Registration Cards Required

Weigh In - Friday 15th June - 4pm - 8pm at Grove RUFC

Stamping - Saturday 16th June - 8am - 9am

First Pull - 10am

Weights (in pulling order)

	1	2	3	4	5	6
Men	640kg*	560kg*	720kg*	600kg*	680kg*
Ladies	540kg*		500kg*
Senior Mixed						580kg*
Junior Men			560kg*
Junior Ladies	520kg*		480kg*
Junior Mixed		560kg
Under 23					U23 GENSB 450kg**

** this is a new weight class introduced at the 2018 TOWA AGM. Click here for details.

* denotes weight categories that are representative weights at the World Outdoor Championships and World Junior Championships and British and Irish Outdoor Championships. To be eligible to be invited to represent England, teams must have competed in a least 4 outdoor permitted tug of war competitions from the fixtures listed above (excluding any training leagues, early pulls, limited events (such as Young Farmers only events) or other similar type of non TOWA event) as amended at the 2016 TOWA AGM on Saturday 30th January 2016. Junior teams must have also competed in junior weight classes at 4 competitions to be eligible to be invited to represent England as amended at the 2016 TOWA AGM on Saturday 30th January 2016. If in doubt check with your Area Rep or other member of the General Committee.

Please note that for your attendance at a permitted competition to count towards the England qualifying/selection criteria, competing at an event means weighing in, having your team stamped by a judge, fully completing the entry sheet, and paying the entry fee prior to the start of the competition in at least one weight class borrowing a maximum of 2 pullers from other clubs. The other participating members of your team must be registered pullers for your club. For clarification, you may enter a weight class with 7 pullers in a TOWA open competition (as allowed by the rules) and borrow two pullers, so the minimum number of registered pullers from your club that attend in order to qualify is 5. If competing in a weight class with 8 members, then the minimum number of registered pullers required to qualify is 6.

Please note otherwise, that competing at the TOWA national championships is open to any club registered to the Tug of War Association, and there is no set number of events that teams have to attend to qualify to compete. The qualifying criteria referred to above only applies to those teams wishing to qualify to represent England.

Otherwise, please refer to rule 2.3 of the TOWA rules contained within the TOWA Handbook regarding eligibility to compete at the TOWA National Championships and eligibility to represent England.

Contact the Championships Secretary Mick Grimston for further details on 01205 369753.

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July

Sun 1st – Far Western Area Open Championships - Pugham Farm, Westleigh, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 7HL - Weigh In - 10am - First Pull 11am - Weights - 600, 640, 680, 720 and Ladies Competitions - Contact Nick Major for further details on 01934 823462

Sun 8th - NATIONAL LEAGUE 5 - AREA 7 CHAMPIONSHIPS - Memorial Ground, Yorktown Road, Sandhurst, Berkshire, GU47 9EJ - Weigh In - 10am - First Pull - 11am - weights - Men - 600, 640, 680, catchweight - Mixed - 600kg 4+4 - Ladies and Youth League - 520 and 560 - Contact Peter Craft for further details on 01494 783057.

MANDATED EVENT FOR TEAMS REPRESENTING ENGLAND AT THE BRITISH AND IRISH AND WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (MEN AND LADIES)

Sun 15th - NATIONAL LEAGUE 6 - EVENT CANCELLED - LEAGUE EVENT 6 NOW TO BE HELD AT CHESHIRE GAME AND ANGLING FAIR - South West Area Open - Wrington Sports and Social Club (The Rec.), Silver Street, Wrington, Bristol, BS40 5QN - Weigh In - 10am - First Pull - 11am - Weights - Men - 600, 640, 680, catchweight - Ladies and Youth - 520 and 560 - Contact Pete Dyer for further details.

Change of Venue - The Inter County Championships being hosted by Forge Lane / Oxney Vines Cross TOWC is now to be held at Memorial Ground, Yorktown Road, Sandhurst, Berkshire, GU47 9EJ.

Weigh In - 10am - First Pull - 11am

Inter County Weights - Men - 640kg and 680kg - Junior Men - 560kg (registration cards required)

Please note that Rule 2.5 has been amended, and the criteria for team members competing in the Inter County Championships is now as follows:

Every member of the team has been a member of the club from the start of the current season on the day of the competition, or has a birth or residential qualification for the County concerned.

Teams may borrow registered pullers from the same county to participate in this event, however a maximum of two teams per county are permitted to take part in each weight class. Please see the rules in the TOWA handbook.

Open weight classes - no registration cards required - open to all teams

Men - 600, 640, 680, catchweight

SUNDAY 29 JULY - TUG OF WAR ASSOCIATION TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT DAY

On Sunday 29 July, the Tug of War Association will be holding a tug of war training and development day at Holland Sports Club, Potters Way, Efflinch Lane, Barton-under-Needwood, Staffordshire, DE13 8ET.

Teams are to assemble at 9.45am and the day will start at 10am with a strength, conditioning and nutrition seminar and a rules update, which will be followed by tug of war training including block work, live pulling and technical advice.

The event is open to ALL teams, pullers and coaches from all levels and abilities in England, members and non-members, military/services/regimental teams, cadet teams, and young farmers teams, etc. (men, ladies, under 23s and juniors/GENSB) as well as new teams and anyone looking to get into coaching.

Attendance at the training and development day is free of charge. You don’t have to have a full team available to attend so all teams are encouraged to send available personnel along.

Those taking part in the training day will be required to come along with tug of war kit, however please note that for the block training, rubber sole leather boots will be required as the hard sole plastic boots will not be permitted for use on the training lats.

In order to give us an idea of numbers attending so that we can finalise the arrangements and equipment needed for the day, please contact Stafford Chipperfield on 07850417891 or email stafford.chipperfield@btinternet.com with an indication of numbers that are likely to be attending.

MANDATED EVENT FOR TEAMS REPRESENTING ENGLAND AT THE BRITISH AND IRISH CHAMPIONSHIPS AND WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (MEN AND LADIES)

August

SUNDAY 5 AUGUST - NATIONAL CATCHWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIPS AND CHESHIRE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS (NATIONAL LEAGUE 6)

Cheshire Game and Angling Fair, Peover Hall, Peover Park, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 9HW

Weigh In - 9.30am - First Pull - 10am

Weights

Men catchweight - registration cards required - please note that entry into this weight class must be made in advance, and entry forms should be submitted to the championships secretary by 22 July 2018. Entry forms are available via the National Championships Page of this web site.

Open weights - no registration cards required - open to all teams to participate - just weigh in at the scales on the day.

Men - 600, 640, 680

Senior Mixed - 600

Ladies / Junior - 520 and 560

For further information about the event, visit www.cheshiregameandanglingfair.co.uk

For other details and to obtain free car parking passes for the show, contact Alan Knott on 07976 591222 before 22 July 2017

MANDATED EVENT FOR TEAMS REPRESENTING ENGLAND AT THE BRITISH AND IRISH AND WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (MEN AND LADIES)

11th - 12th August - BRITISH AND IRISH OUTDOOR TUG OF WAR CHAMPIONSHIPS AND TUG OF WAR ASSOCIATION AND THE TUG OF WAR ASSOCAITION 60TH ANNIVERARY OPEN COMPETITION

Wyboston Lakes, Great North Road, Wyboston, Bedfordshire, MK44 3AL

Friday 10th - Weigh in (timings to be confirmed)

Saturday 11th - Closed

Weights - Men - 600 and 680 - Ladies - 520 and 560 - Mixed 4+4 600 – Junior Men - 560 kilos – Junior Ladies 520kg

Sunday 12th - TOWA 60th Anniversary Open Competition

Weights - Men - 560, 600, 640, 680, 720 - Ladies - 520 and 560 (or 500 and 540 - to be confirmed) - Senior Mixed - 580 - Junior Men - 560 - Junior Ladies - 520 - Junior Mixed - 560

OPEN COMPETITION - MANDATED EVENT FOR ENGLISH TEAMS REPRESENTING ENGLAND AT THE BRITISH AND IRISH AND WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (MEN AND LADIES)

Contact Mick Copper for further details on 01933 622639

Sun 19th – NATIONAL LEAGUE 7 - EVENT CANCELLED - Shropshire Open Championships - Battlefield 1403 Farm Shop, Upper Battlefield, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 3DB – Weigh In – 10.00am – First Pull – 11.00am – Weights – Men - 600, 640, 680, Catchweight - Ladies and Youth League - 520 and 560 - Contact Roger Beardsmore for further information on 01952 510735.

Sat 25th - GENSB Youth International Tournament

Mohnsee, Germany

560 kilos GENSB Rules Competition for junior tug of war teams - open to junior boys and girls aged between 12 and 18 inclusive

Visit www.gensb.eu for details on competition rules and to book accommodation and complete your entry forms. Entries and accommodation bookings should be completed by July.

Sun 27th - Cornish Championships - Stithians Show, Cornwall - Weigh In – 1pm - First Pull 2pm - Weights – 640 and 680 closed and open catchweight - Contact Nick Major for further details and entry tickets on 01364 652984 or 07931 756321

September

Sun 2nd - NATIONAL LEAGUE FINALS

Hosted by Upton upon Severn TOWC at The Drum & Monkey, Newbridge Green, Upton Upon Severn, Worcester, WR8 0PQ

Weigh In - 10am - First Pull - 11am

Weights

Men - 600, 640, 680

Ladies / Youth League Finals - 520kg and 560kg

Contact the Championships Secretary Mick Grimston for further details on 01205 369753.

Tuesday 11th - Widecombe Fair, Widecombe Fair Field, Widecombe, Devon, TQ13 7TB - Weigh In - 7pm - First Pull - 7.30pm - Weights - Men - 640 and catchweight - Ladies - weight to be confirmed - Contact Mark Hutchins for further details on 01364 621294

Wednesday 19th - Saturday 22nd September 2018

2018 WORLD OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS AND WORLD JUNIOR AND UNDER 23 CHAMPIONSHIPS

Cape Town, South Africa

Weigh In - Tuesday 18th September

Wednesday 19th - TWIF Open Club Competition - Morning - Men 680kg - Men Under 23 600kg - Ladies Under 23 500kg - Afternoon - Men 560kg and Ladies 500kg

Thursday 20th - TWIF Open Club Competition - Morning - Men 720kg, Mixed 600kg 4+4 - Junior Men 560kg - Junior Ladies 480kg - Afternoon - Men 640kg and Ladies 540kg

Friday 21st - World Championships - Morning - Men 680kg - Men Under 23 600kg - Ladies Under 23 500kg - Afternoon - Men 560kg and Ladies 500kg

Saturday 22nd - World Championships - Morning - Men 720kg, Mixed 600kg 4+4 - Junior Men 560kg - Junior Ladies 480kg - Afternoon - Men 640kg and Ladies 540kg

October

Sat 13th and Sun 14th October - Kessingland Autumn tug of war Festival Weekend - 40th Anniversary

Event open to all teams and any individual pullers who want to go along and pull with other clubs for the weekend. Kessingland Beach, Nr Lowestoft, Suffolk

Weigh In on each day 10.00, First Pull on each day 11.00

weights

Saturday - 600, 640, 680, 600 4+4
Sunday - 620, 660, 720, 660 4+4

Accommodation

Park Resorts - http://www.park-resorts.com/holiday-parks/east-anglia/kessingland-beach

Self catering caravans (sleep 6) from £133.50
Camp site for camper vans and tents from £9 per night

Contact Dave Kitchener for further information on 01234 720086

Sun 21st October - Countryside Live - Derwent Arms, Osbaldwick, York, North Yorkshire, YO10 3NP

Weigh In 10am, First Pull 11am. Weights - 600, 640, 680, Ladies 520kg and 560kg and Mixed 660 4+4. Contact Dave Hamer for further details on 01422 823397.

No entry tickets are required in advance, however teams are requested to confirm their intention to attend in advance. Teams to contact David Hamer 07817 681286 or Neil Hudson 07711 039034

INDOOR TUG OF WAR

The indoor season is run as a league. Annual team trophies (donated by Len Hall) are awarded for each weight class at the final indoor competition before the national championships for the teams that have accumulated the most points over the course of the season in each weight class.

PLEASE NOTE - All teams are required to notify the Hon General Secretary Mick Copper by 20th October of their intention to attend each competition in advance so that the sports hall can be booked for the appropriate length of time.

New 6 a side weight classes

As per the ruling voted in at the 2018 AGM, This year, there will be a 6 a side weight class held at each indoor event (open competitions only). The nominated weight classes will be 510kg and 480kg. Teams may weigh into these weight classes with 6 pullers or 5 pullers. This weight class will not count towards the criteria for qualifying to represent England. If teams attend an indoor event with 5 pullers to compete in the 6 a side weight class, and wish for the event to count towards the qualification criteria for representing England, then they may borrow two pullers to compete in an 8 a side weight class with 7 pullers as a maximum of two pullers may be borrowed to be eligible to meet the criteria, with our rules allowing for teams to compete with 7 pullers in open competitions.

Sun 28th - Midland Championships - Harry Mitchell Leisure Centre, Broomfield, Smethwick, West Midlands, B67 7DH - Weighs - Men 600, 620, 640, 680, catchweight, 6 a side weight class, Ladies and youth 520 and 560 - Weigh In - 9am - First Pull - 10am

November

Sun 4th - Harry Mitchell Leisure Centre, Broomfield, Smethwick, West Midlands, B67 7DH - Weights - Men 600, 620, 640, 680, catchweight, 6 a side weight class, Ladies and youth 520 and 560 - Weigh In - 9am - First Pull - 10am

Sun 11th - AAA's Indoor Championships

Harry Mitchell Leisure Centre, Broomfield, Smethwick, West Midlands, B67 7DH

Weights

Closed Men - 640 and Catchweight Ladies and Youth - 520

Open - Men 580, 600, 640 680, 6 a side weight class, Ladies and youth 520 and 560

Registration cards required for closed weights. No registration cards required for open weights

Weigh In - 9am - First Pull - 10am

Sun 18th - Harry Mitchell Leisure Centre, Broomfield, Smethwick, West Midlands, B67 7DH - Weights - Men 580, 600, 640, 680, Catchweight, 6 a side weight class, Ladies 520 and 560 - Weigh In - 9am - First Pull - 10am

Sun 25th - Harry Mitchell Leisure Centre, Broomfield, Smethwick, West Midlands, B67 7DH - Weights - Men 560, 600, 640, 680, 720, Catchweight, 6 a side weight class, Ladies 520 and 560 - Weigh In - 9am - First Pull - 10am

December

Sat 1st - National Indoor Championships

Harry Mitchell Leisure Centre, Broomfield, Smethwick, West Midlands, B67 7DH

Weigh In – Friday 30th November – 4pm - 8pm

Registration cards required

Saturday morning – stamping of teams – 8am – 9am

First Pull 10am

Weights (in pulling order)

Men – Catchweight, 640, 560, 720, 600* and 680* (please note that the pulling order for the indoor championships reverted back to the original pulling order by rule change at the January 2016 AGM)

Ladies 540* and 500*

Mixed 600 4+4*

Youth

* denotes weight categories that are representative weights at the UK indoor Championships. Winners of those weights may be invited to represent England. To be eligible to be invited to represent England, senior teams must have competed in at least 5 indoor tug of war competitions (excluding the national championships) from the fixtures listed above. Please note that for your attendance at a permitted competition to count towards the England qualifying/selection criteria, competing at an event means weighing in, having your team stamped by a judge, fully completing the entry sheet, and paying the entry fee prior to the start of the competition in at least one weight class borrowing a maximum of 2 pullers from other clubs. The other participating members of your team must be registered pullers for your club. For clarification, you may enter a weight class with 7 pullers in a TOWA open competition (as allowed by the rules) and borrow two pullers, so the minimum number of registered pullers from your club that attend in order to qualify is 5. If competing in a weight class with 8 members, then the minimum number of registered pullers required to qualify is 6.

As per the ruling voted in at the 2018 AGM, this year, there will be a 6 a side weight class held at each indoor event (open competitions only). The nominated weight classes will be 510kg and 480kg. Teams may weigh into these weight classes with 6 pullers or 5 pullers. This weight class will not count towards the criteria for qualifying to represent England. If teams attend an indoor event with 5 pullers to compete in the 6 a side weight class, and wish for the event to count towards the qualification criteria for representing England, then they may borrow two pullers to compete in an 8 a side weight class with 7 pullers as a maximum of two pullers may be borrowed to be eligible to meet the criteria, as set out in the paragraph above.

Please note otherwise, that competing at the TOWA national championships is open to any club registered to the Tug of War Association, and there is no set number of events that teams have to attend to qualify to compete. The qualifying criteria referred to above only applies to those teams wishing to qualify to represent England.

Otherwise, please refer to rule 2.3 of the TOWA rules contained within the TOWA Handbook regarding eligibility to compete at the TOWA National Championships and eligibility to represent England.

Contact the Championships Secretary Mick Grimston for entry forms and further details on 01205 369753.