ITRA and Waterpark RFC announce partnership
- jackleahy5
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
The Irish Tag Rugby Association and Waterpark RFC are delighted to announce an agreement has been reached by both parties concerning the operation of tag rugby leagues in the club in 2026.
The partnership will see ITRA take primary responsibility for the operation of tag rugby leagues in the club, while the club focuses on providing a high-quality venue and social experience.
This exciting partnership leverages existing relationships within the national tag community, and aims to deliver an excellent experience for players on and off the pitch. ITRA is delighted to work with the club and to bring our experience to a thriving venue in a great location.
Information is below for teams and individuals who wish to take part:
Dates for the season and how to follow
The summer league will kick off on Thursday 21st May, and run for 9 weeks. All of our leagues are tracked via our Spawtz fixtures page. Here you can track fixtures, standings, and even your team’s overall record of points scored, win-loss, and progress versus previous seasons.
Before kick-off, the league will be graded into three distinct divisions based on the team’s prior experience. More details of this will follow, and be strictly enforced in order to ensure an even level of competition.
Registration
Registration for the league is open via our Spawtz website. You are unlikely to have an account on this platform, and should choose the option to create an account.
Team Links:
Social C: no players who have represented Ireland in 2025 may play in this division
Social B: A team may only field one player who represented Ireland in 2025 in this division on any given evening
Social A: A team may only field four players who represented Ireland in 2025 in this division on any given evening
Just for Craic Social Tag: Just for Craic tag is our new approach to bringing individuals together in a fun, low-stakes weekly social experience. Join a group that plays a regular social game, accommodating all standards.
Join a team as an individual: If you're specifically looking to join a team as an individual, then you can sign up below. Please note that we only take a 1 EUR holding payment for this as places are subject to teams having availability for you. We'll offer your availability to captains and you can fix up the balance of the place with them if they have a place for you.
You’ll have three options for payment for team places upon registration:
Pay a deposit (1c) and use “shared payments”: this option will activate a syndicated group payment. You send the link to all players on your team, who then add their details. Team members will have their cards debited at 6am 7 days before the league begins. If anyone’s payment fails, the captain will be charged the balance and will have to settle up with the player. If you choose the deposit option you can also simply pay the fee in full up to the shared payment date. Please note that the platform charges a 2.20 EUR fee for use of this process, as it incurs higher payment processing charges.
Pay in full: does exactly what it says on the tin.
Pay by invoice: for corporate teams, you may bypass the payment process initially and arrange for us to invoice the business.
All teams must register all of their players to the platform, which involves reviewing and accepting the Terms & Conditions. You can do this by logging into your account as captain, clicking on teams, selecting the team, and copying the link for new people to join. We’ll spot-check registrations throughout the league, and you’ll be liable to forfeit a game 10-0 if anyone is playing without registering. However, registrations do not need to be renewed and stay on your team profile.
Tag Shorts
As a member of the ITF, ITRA complies with shorts requirements, which are outlined on our website. These rules are safety-focused, and have significantly reduced finger injuries by requiring all shorts to be longer than the tags and made of flexible material.
In recognition of the short notice, ITRA will partially defer full implementation of our shorts policy as follows:
Brands not listed above but which meet the key safety criteria (flexibility, length) will be permitted for use in 2026
Shorts which do not meet the safety requirements may be exchanged for a discounted rate of 15 EUR (RRP 25 EUR) at the venue.
Shorts will be available for purchase on every night of the league.
Differences in laws
While tag rugby is played similarly across Ireland regardless of operator, we find that the below laws are the least common in other formats:
ITRA tag allows for a maximum of 4 men in a 7-a-side game, meaning that in practice teams play with 4 men, 3 women. Teams may elect to play with additional female players and get a proportionate score increase (4 points for 4 female players, etc.)
When tagged, a player resets by returning to the mark (location of the tag) and rolling the ball with their foot. It is not sufficient to roll with the hand.
Kick-offs are taken by female players with a kick from the ground. If the kick-off goes dead behind the try line having bounced in play, play restarts with a goal-line drop by the receiving team.
A blue “bonus box”, 5m x 3m in the middle of the try line, applies for female players. A male player scores 1 point, female players score 3 (outside of the box) or 4 (inside the box).
Safe diving is permitted as follows: to score, to collect a loose ball that has been kicked (defender only), to collect a loose ball that has been dropped (attacker only)
A full list of the ITRA laws is available at tagrugby.ie/laws.
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