Army Tug of War Association

The origins of Tug of War can’t be easily pinpointed in time, but evidence of the sport conducted in ceremonies and cults originating around the world are clear in many forms. Chronicled in England in 16th Century, it was an Olympic sport up until 1920.

Ask people their understanding of Tug of war and they will probably picture a pub side of 8 burley gentlemen grimacing, groaning and pulling on a rope at a local fete…………. Well that couldn’t be further from the truth if you tried! Tug of war has a long history in the Army with 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards being the AAA Champions of the 90-stone weight in 1913 and then in 1974 up to 1990 dominating the youth league. With the mixture of raw power and stubbornness, bridged with technique and team work, this is a sport that harnesses the Warrior Spirit essential in today’s modern Armed Forces using a lot of the core values we rely upon every day.

The Army, RAF and Royal Navy, regularly compete in Tug of war competitions around the UK as well as completions run by our NGB, with the heart set to represent our country, England. There are many different weight categories mens 560kg, 600kg, 640kg, 680kg, 720kg, and catch-weight, ladies 520kg and 560kg with a mixed gender 600kg 4×4, there is also the opportunity for youth (U18’s). All categories involve significant figure juggling by the team coach to get as near as possible to the required weight (but not heavier) with the strongest team, by switching squad members to achieve the target weight category. Ultimately this is a simple sport, merely pull the opposition 4 meters, but to achieve this requires timing, strength and technique, and a gritted determination as each pull can last up to 10 minutes with only 90 secs between pulls to recover.

Fixtures

2024

DATE	FIXTURE	LOCATION	TRAVEL
21 Apr	ETOWA Melton League	Melton Mowbray	RSTB
24 Apr	ATOW League Event – Jack Smiths	TBC	UTB
28 Apr	ETOWA Lincoln League	Lincoln	RSTB
05 May	ETOWA Midlands League	Staffordshire	RSTB
08 May	ATOW League Event	TBC	UTB
12 May	ETOWA Sheen League	Buxton	RSTB
19 May	ETOWA Felton League AAA	Bristol	RSTB
22 May	ATOW League Event	TBC	UTB
24 May - 25 May	ETOWA Holland Sports League	Barton-under-Needwood, Staffordshire	RSTB
02 Jun - 14 Jun	Army Ladies Team Trg Camp	Bulford	RSTB
02 Jun	ETOWA Sandhurst League	Sandhurst	RSTB
15 Jun - 16 Jun	ETOWA National Championships	Honiton, Devon	RSTB
19 Jun	ATOW League Event – Gunner Pull	TBC	UTB
26 Jun	ATOW Championships	TBC	RSTB
04 Jul	ETOWA Bedford League	Bedford, Bedfordshire	RSTB

View all fixtures

News

Tug of War has had some impressive performances over the last 3 seasons, which has seen several Army Team members being selected for the UK Armed Forces team. Additional to this Capt (Tfc) Jon Perks and WO1 (ASM) Damion Richards where selected for the England team from within their civilian organisation, the achievements of these individuals was rewarded with second place in the world championships. This season the Army teams are planning to compete on the civilian circuit enabling qualification for them to attend the world championships.

The Army Ladies last season were at the top of the civilian league in both the 520kg and 560kg categories and are once again National League Champions for the second year running! The team deserve a well-earned rest but not for long….as they are hoping training for the next season starts soon, where the ladies will once again lace up their boots, take the strain and pull to victory!!