Coronavirus update – December 16th
The first weekend of contact matches with adaptations is allowed from this weekend. We ask that all clubs follow the guidance to make sure everyone is kept safe in the lead up to Christmas. Guidance and FAQs can be found on the pages below. Please remember, there is no obligation to play 15-a-side fixtures this weekend. Clubs can still play Ready4Rugby if they prefer
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Return to Play webinar Q&A with Steve Grainger
RFU Rugby Development Director Steve Grainger and RFU Head of Game Development John Lawn answered your questions today on a live Q&A with ITV and BT Sport commentator Nick Mullins. You can watch the interview back in the link below
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Return to Play update
Please help us to keep everyone safe by following the guidance. Government has made it clear that if guidance is repeatedly breached, exemptions can be taken away which would result in rugby stopping.
With the return of fixtures to the rugby calendar under the new adaptations, we understand that some clubs will return to matches. However, no club or player is under any obligation to return to contact matches from Friday 18 December.
If you are playing matches, this weekend, please remember that in line with Government guidance car sharing is not permitted. In a tier 2 or tier 3 area, car sharing is not permitted with anyone from outside your household.
In a tier 1 area, avoid car sharing with someone from outside your household or your support bubble.
Travel in coaches and minibuses is permitted as long as they are Covid-secure, i.e. seating arrangements must be considered to maximise distance between people in the vehicle – this may mean using more than one coach or minibus, for example. Teams should check for local travel restrictions in their area before departing as these will vary depending on the coronavirus alert level. You should not travel into or out of tier 3 areas to take part in sporting activities or access sport facilities.
Return to Play support is available below, and click for Club Support Centre FAQs
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Facilities guidance
We understand that there is a lot of information to absorb around what can and can’t happen. Guidance can be found on the Club Support Centre FAQ page. However, here are some common questions and we would like to reiterate the answers to these and ask you to share them with your club members for a better understanding.
All food and beverages come under Government hospitality guidance, not rugby playing guidance. Food and beverage may only be consumed while seated (in Tiers 1 and 2). This applies to both inside and outside areas. Takeaway is permitted in all tiers but must be consumed off the premises; and not at pitchside.
If you are still unsure, your club should check your individual operating licenses are appropriate for the service offered. Please consult your local licensing authority.
If you do not find an answer to your query there, please contact clubsupport@rfu.com and we will respond as quickly as we can.
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Club Cluster Competitions
Last week, Adult Male and Female teams who play in RFU Leagues were contacted by their competition organising committee with details of their finalised fixture clusters following the opt-in period.
Fixtures for these clusters will be released on Tuesday 22 December. These fixtures are currently scheduled to begin on the weekend of the 23rd/24th January. As already communicated, teams may still play in other fixtures before this date, as long as they are within Tier & Area parameters
Other important updates
Allianz Inner Warrior Returns
The first week of registration for the Allianz Inner Warrior Campaign has been a huge success with some 70 clubs signing up already. You can still register your club for a Warrior Camp using the link below. You still have until Friday 18 December to register interest. For any questions please get in touch via innerwarrior@rfu.com or check out our Facebook page
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Positive Test Guidance under Stage E
Using the Team Sport Risk Assessment Framework, as approved by Government and PHE, where all Stage E rugby training and match activities are considered to be in the medium risk category, the updated Stage E guidance and law variations would mean that, following a positive test by a player, other players involved in the training session or match would not be deemed a close contact, providing all the guidance is followed.
The same is true for coaches and match officials if they have not been involved in non fleeting (longer than 3 seconds) direct face-to-face contact with any other individuals returning a positive test during rugby training and match activities.
The determination of close contacts and requirements for isolation for all non rugby training and match activities follows standard Government guidance.
The final decision on whether someone would need to isolate is with local test and trace and Public Health authorities
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Webinars and Podcasts
Return to Play Webinar support for coaches and referees is available below:
Webinar Community Game Law Variations
eLearning Community Game Law Variations
Stage E – U7-U13
Stage E – U14-U18
Stage E – Adult
We also have on-demand webinars that look at schools and college updates, established schools forum and preparing players for a return to rugby. Watch now.
You can see all our previous Coaching, Refereeing, and Club webinars online
A nice touch at Maidstone
Looking for a way to keep players engaged during the Stage D return to play guidance, Maidstone RFC decided to create a touch rugby tournament accessible to all. Dads and lads joined in, playing, refereeing and lending a hand, and new people turned up, while all the official advice and regulations were adhered to.
The event was cut short due to lockdown 2 but the success of the event has meant it will be carried forward into the New Year
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We want to highlight the wonderful activities that our clubs and their teams are doing on our England Rugby channels. Please share your stories and videos with ChrisDodd@rfu.com or PatriciaMowbray@rfu.com