THE rugby season might be over but teams and players are now being sought for mixed mini-sessions of mini rugby as top players and keen novices alike hone their skills over the summer break.Last year Bermuda internationals such as Derek (Bobby) Hurdle, national coach Pete Shillingford and fly-half Tom Healy all got involved in the mixed sessions which keep ball handling and fitness sharp.

This year the stars will again be out in force but there’s a new twist, explained organiser Mike Montgomery, himself a former national team player from the mid 1990s.

He said: “This year we’re switching from touch rugby to flag rugby. The move is in line with the change in the women’s league this past season which has resulted in a more free-flowing game that is easier to officiate for the referees.”

Last year there were 12 teams with 120 participants playing, the finals being contested between Jean Francois’s Dirty SAFA’s and Patrick McHugh’s PMC Maintenance/Teachers squad, with the eventual winners being PMC Maintenance/Teachers.

“All of the teams participating last year had fun and several have already confirmed for this year.” The game does not require the players to have previous rugby experience to join and this year the gauntlet has been thrown down to the grid iron boys to get involved.

“With the switch to flag rugby, the hope is to attract more participants and particularly to challenge the local flag American football players to enter a team for fun as the games are similar, the two major differences being the non-contact aspect and that the ball must be passed backwards,” said Montgomery.

Teams field six players with unlimited substitutions in a 30-minute game broken into 15-minute halves. Teams are required to have a minimum of two women on the pitch. It’s one point for every try scored by a man and two points for every try scored by a woman. The women must be getting better — last year it was 2.5.

There are no conversions but Montgomery said there was plenty to keep it interesting as the small sided games improved team work and encouraged people to create space for each other.

Flag rugby has a strong international following and Montgomery hopes one day to get Bermuda playing overseas teams.

This year the venue has changed to Police Field with the action kicking off on May 9. The sessions, from 6-8 p.m., will run until June 27 (excluding May 23).

Individuals keen to get involved are encouraged to call Mike Montgomery on 295 0614 or email him on mmontgomery@amlp.bm.