This week’s headlines include: 1. Return to Play guidance 2. Facilities guidance 3. Club Support Centre
Other Updates
4. Coaching and refereeing courses 5. Webinars and podcasts 6. Inspirational Zainab 7. Raising awareness for mental health charities
Please remember that until Wednesday 2 December we remain at Stage A on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap, meaning no competitive or formal rugby activities can be undertaken.
From tomorrow, Wednesday 2 December, we will move to Stage E below.
Following yesterday’s Government approval for adapted contact rugby to resume in the Community Game, we've compiled Return to Play guidance, for the new game and law variations which will come into effect for match play. This guidance below is designed to help clubs resume adapted contact training from Wednesday 2 December to give players time to prepare ahead of the permitted return to local friendly fixtures from Friday 18 December.
Please note, there is no obligation for players and clubs to play 15-a-side adaptations. Clubs can still play Ready4Rugby matches up until and beyond 18 December. This simply provides clubs with an opportunity to play adapted contact rugby should they wish.
Adapted Stage E rules/laws for Age Grade Rugby have also been approved for U7-13 and U14-18. The move to Stage E will allow the restart of Tag Rugby for U7s and U8s. The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed schools/colleges can return to playing sport in line with approved NGB action plans. Universities will need to align rugby with their planning for student engagement, testing and return home in December. It remains an education institution decision whether playing rugby is possible within their own requirements and measures.
These law variations will be reviewed as the season progresses and as restrictions are changed.
We understand our return to play is a huge moment for our sport and for you as clubs and CBs. We all share a collective desire and responsibility to get this right. Now, we really need to be as safe as we can be so that we can continue the phased return to rugby for our local communities without further interruptions.
Government guidance has just gone live as we issue this evening's CGU.
We will therefore interpret the guidance overnight and update our facilities and travel guidance, alongside rugby specific FAQs, tomorrow on the Coronavirus Hub on the link below.
This will cover clubhouses, changing rooms, showers, travel and tier implications.
Please direct any queries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Should you require more detailed information after we publish Facilities guidance tomorrow, please visit our dedicated Club Support Centre below for FAQs (frequently asked questions).
To successfully complete the course, coaches and referees need to participate in all monthly webinars, carry out the tasks in their own environment, engage with the community of practice and attend both face-to-face days at the end of the season.
Attached is more information about the course and the 2020/21 training course booklet. Please share this with coaches and referees in your CB, club, referee society, school, college and university.
We have on-demand webinars for state schools, established rugby schools, colleges & universities - reference to lockdown activity and what happens when lockdown ends.
‘See It, Be It, Ref It’
We’re launching a campaign to get women from across the country into refereeing! To discover more from the comfort of your own home about how you can become a referee in an all-female setting, we chat to a panel of current referees and dispel some myths!
Inspirational Zainab Alema from Barnes RFC has been named the Sunday Times Grassroots Sportswoman of the Year 2020. Many congratulations to her on all the work she has been doing to inspire other black and Muslim women and girls to play rugby.
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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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