Australian friends claim world record for longest beach touch rugby game

MELBOURNE Friends Claim World Record for Longest Beach Touch Rugby Game

A group of Australian friends have set a new world record for the longest nonstop game of beach touch rugby. The grueling 34-hour match took place at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, with the players accumulating around 1,500 points, according to player Harry Preston.

The Tama Touch Group organized the charity event, but decided not to keep a running score to avoid intensifying the competitive nature of the game. Preston emphasized the importance of camaraderie and breaking the record for a good cause.

Guinness World Records is currently assessing the group’s bid to verify if they have surpassed the previous record set by a team in Britain. The Tama Touch Group, named after Tamarama Beach where they originated in 2001, completed the six-a-side game on September 3 and 4, 2025.

Beating the Clock and Supporting Mental Health

The Sandbaggers record was 34 hours and 6 seconds, while Tama Touch claimed a time of 34 hours, 9 minutes and 25 seconds. The match raised over 167,000 Australian dollars for Beyond Blue, an organization that supports mental health and suicide prevention.

Player Andrew Lord highlighted the importance of the group in helping him through his own mental health struggles. The regular matches played by Tama Touch have been a source of support and camaraderie for many of the players.

Playing Through Injuries

Despite injuries like a dislocated toe and a broken thumb, all 22 players persevered until the end of the match. Substitutions were allowed, but there always had to be 12 players on the field and 10 on the bench.

The match took a toll on players’ bodies, with one player recording a distance of 70 kilometers run during the game. The physical demands of playing on sand added to the challenge, especially in the cold overnight temperatures.

With approximately 1,500 points scored, the winner between the Breakers and Sand Stormers will be announced at a dinner next week.

By Rod Mcguirk, The Associated Press