Covid-19 Update – Return to Stage A

Firstly the committee hopes everyone is still keeping well.

We have had confirmation through from the RFU yesterday that as England is now in national lockdown until Wednesday 2 December, all team sports have been suspended, including club age grade and adult rugby activities below Championship and Premier 15s.

With effect from yesterday, we return to Stage A on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap. This means that no competitive or formal rugby activities can be undertaken until at least Wednesday 2 December. While group training sessions are banned, a maximum of two players (or one player and one coach) can participate in socially distanced (two metres plus), individual training sessions in a public outside space, but not a garden, without sharing equipment.

There will be different rules for schools and colleges during the national lockdown, and they are able to play rugby but must follow the DfE guidance for schools and FE settings.

We have also been reminded by the RFU that the national lockdown means that clubs cannot open their doors for members to watch the November Quilter Internationals 2020 matches, part of the Autumn Nations Cup.

In addition, the RFU have advised that the RFU Competitions Team is working with the Competitions Organising Committees for Men and Women to finalise alternative competitions models in place of the cancelled 2020/21 league programme. These will be entirely optional for clubs and will have no impact on promotion/relegation. They will focus on local cluster leagues and offer a framework for clubs to Return to Play (in some format once we have government approval to do so). It is intended to circulate these proposals, inviting clubs to participate, on Friday 13 November. Stay safe
Kieran Donnelly (Chair) and the LMRFC Committee