Covid-19 and Club Update

Firstly the committee hopes everyone is keeping well.

The club is continuing to adhere to the current guidelines and advice from the government and the RFU. There is still no return date for competitive rugby been set, but we are now currently in phase C of the RFU return to rugby plan, which allows for non-contact training and intra-club matches, using the new Ready4Rugby game which allows a maximum of 20 players to take part..

We have now produced a club restart policy combining all the guideline information from the RFU and the government into one document, which has been sent to all coaches and can be downloaded from the Safeguarding page. As long as we all follow these guidelines we can get the season started, and to that end will be looking to commence training for all age groups by the beginning of September.  This rugby restart document will continue to be fluid and will be updated as and when any of the advice changes.

The RFU have now provided further guidelines to assist with the opening of clubhouses and we have had a Legionella Risk Assessment as per HSE guidelines completed on the clubhouse and no areas of immediate concern have been raised. We have also been provided with free hand sanitizing products and an assortment of Covid-19 signage – in line with current government advice, which we are starting to display around the club house.

We have still not re-opened the clubhouse we are reviewing how the clubhouse can be best utilised whilst adhering to the Covid guidance. We are looking on how to implement and test the restrictions which will be in place for some time to come and we ask that you all observe these, including the one way systems.  At this time the changing rooms and showers are still not to be used therefore please ensure when you arrive for training you are already changed.

I am pleased to tell you that we were successful in our application for the small business relief grant from DCC but were unsuccessful with our lottery funding application. At this time we believe the club is in a good financial situation to help us grow.

To further raise funds we have discussed and been given permission by the estate managers to erect pitch side advertising fence, which we intend to run along part of the first team pitch touchline by the clubhouse. This is will also act as a safety barrier ensuring non-playing personnel are kept away from the touchline.

We are also hope you like our new club website and any information you feel is not present let us know and we will get it set up as the site is still a work in progress.  The new site will give us much greater control offer the content and make it easier for us to update.

We will be collecting the memberships shortly and we will send out a separate email with all the details.  We would prefer if people can settle the membership by BACS payment straight into the club account at this time, and we will provide all the details on this process with the membership details. For those that can’t pay by BACS we will set aside a day when payment can be taken via card payments at the club but we would like this to be as a last resort to insure we have social distancing. We would also encourage everyone who is a UK Tax payer to also complete the gift aid forms which will allow the club to claim the tax back on the Donation part of the fees.  Once this gift aid declaration is completed then we can claim back the tax for the last four years.

When we are able to have large gatherings again, it is still our intention to have a club house re-opening day, with hopefully a BBQ, and have the presentations for last season on this day for all age groups. Stay safe

Kieran Donnelly (Chair) and the LMRFC Committee