• 22.05.2026 12:29

From Dream to Victory: Student Rugby Festival at Tula State University

On May 21, the first-ever Tag Rugby Festival for student teams took place at Tula State University. This significant event commemorated the 50th anniversary of Tula being awarded the honorary title of "Hero City." 

At Burevestnik Stadium, a new competition format brought together first-, second-, and third-year students from Tula State University in a thrilling contest. Tag rugby, or non-contact rugby, has been officially recognized in Russia since 2025 and is supported by the Tula Regional Government, the Ministry of Sports, and the Center for Team Sports, with the assistance of the CSKA Rugby Club.

One of the event's organizers was the Tula Rugby Federation, headed by Petr Petrovich Botnarash, Master of Sports of International Class and multiple Russian and European Champion. 

Rugby is a contact sport and an Olympic sport. "It's especially important that it gives us a unique opportunity to quickly introduce young people to its fundamentals, help them understand the philosophy, and, of course, enjoy the game," noted Pyotr Petrovich. 

The presence of Marina Olegovna Panferova, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, at the festival underscored the event's significance for the development of student sports at the university.

"We always love something new, and today everyone had the opportunity to try something that no one has done before. I think you enjoyed the game, and we will continue to develop this movement at our university. Remember that only teamwork allows us to solve the most complex problems we face. Thank you for today!" said Marina Olegovna.

Pavel Viktorovich Pashkov, Director of the Tula State University Sports Club, noted the popularity of the new sport among students.

"Eight teams from various institutes are participating in the festival today. The students are enthusiastically joining the game, learning tactics, and keeping an eye on their opponents." Despite the hot weather, the participants demonstrated high morale," said Pavel Viktorovich.

Semyon Shchukin, a third-year student at the Institute of Pedagogy, Physical Education, Sports, and Tourism, shared his impressions of the competition.

"Tag rugby is not so much a physically challenging game as it is an intellectually challenging one. You need to think ahead, know who to pass to, and where to run. I've always dreamed of playing this sport. And today, my dream has begun to come true," said Semyon Shchukin, a member of the winning team.

The prizes were distributed as follows:

1st place: "Tigers" (Institute of Pedagogy, Physical Education, Sports, and Tourism)

2nd place: "Boots on a Nail" (Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences)

3rd place: "Engineers" (Polytechnic Institute).

The tradition of holding such events will undoubtedly continue, as tag rugby is more than just a sport; it's a philosophy that unites people of different ages, nationalities, and interests in the pursuit of victory and self-improvement. 

Tatyana Kosenkova 

Photo by Mikhail Gindin 

Photo report