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COMMUNITY GAME UPDATE 8-9-20

 
Distribution list: Tuesday 8 September
 
 
Coronavirus (Covid-19) update
We have provided a link to an on demand webinar to help the rugby community manage Stage D activities. We’ve also shared some highlights from the successful NatWest RugbyForce weekend.

Please visit our dedicated web portal on the England Rugby website to access coronavirus information and updates here.

Past editions of these weekly updates can be found on this part of the website. Click here if you need to find a previous edition.
 
 
RFU headlines
Local lockdown guidelines
Clubs are reminded that the powers around local restrictions lie with their local authorities. We are advised that unless local restrictions specifically mention restrictions on team sports and/or rugby, clubs should follow the NGB guidelines. This includes the North West of England where some restrictions have now been lifted:

Government guidance - North of England

We would encourage rugby clubs in Bolton to check what the impact of the additional restrictions introduced today could mean for sport in their area. Read more on the Bolton local guidance.

Clubs may need to limit their activities in line with any local restrictions and all are advised to consult with the local authority in which their facilities are located should they be in any doubt. Information regarding any new local lockdown restrictions will be posted on the Government website below. We will provide an update to the game if there is any change in guidance to playing rugby union. You can read more information on the Government local lockdown updates.

The following local restrictions are currently in place:

Clubs in Leicester City are currently restricted to groups of no more than six in socially distanced activity and hence must remain at Stage B on the Return to Return to Community Rugby Roadmap. Read the latest guidance issued on Friday 4 September: Government Guidance Leicester.

In Northampton, an outbreak of Covid-19 has been identified at certain Greencore factories. Any club member who has undertaken work in affected areas listed in the guidance, and the people they live with (or have formed a support bubble with), should self-isolate at home for the recommended periods specified and should not visit a rugby club. Read the detailed Northampton Guidance issued on Monday 31 August.
 
 
 
Other updates
NatWest RugbyForce and Pitch Up for Rugby weekends
The NatWest RugbyForce weekend which took place on 5/6 September was a huge success. More than 800 clubs used this activity to improve their facilities. Find out more about Warrington RUFC’s story and Cranleigh RFC’s story.

Over the course of this coming weekend, many clubs across the country will be hosting Pitch Up for Rugby events so that club members and visitors can enjoy playing and/or watching touch and Ready4Rugby on the pitch. You can still click to register for the weekend.

A helpful guide to support the Pitch Up for Rugby weekend is also available below. You can also view the on demand webinar providing tips on how to successfully promote your event and a link to our top five tips can be found below.
Helpful Guide
Top Five Tips
 
 
 
#PitchUpForRugby Photo Challenge
As part of our #PitchUpForRugby celebration we’re asking the rugby community to celebrate the sport’s return by sharing their best grassroots photos. We’d like clubs, players and fans to get involved in our #PitchUpForRugby photo challenge. All you need to do is post your favourite grassroots rugby photo on Twitter or Instagram, tag a friend to do the same and use the hashtag #PitchUpForRugby between 8-13 September.

Please also ask your players to post their photos too as throughout that week we will be sharing lots of the posted photos on England Rugby’s social media channels.
 
 
 
Managing visitors to your club
It is important to recognise the different requirements of managing people at your venue.

The below supplementary information regarding spectators and visitors has been made available by Government. Clubs must continue to work within these guidelines to ensure that all facility, pre-activity and other general operation practices are safe and appropriate.

Clubs should also ensure they are appropriately set up and prepared for safely welcoming other clubs, supporters, parents, and other spectators to their venues, following the Government’s social distancing guidelines, which you can read below. Outdoors you can meet in a group of up to six people from different households, or in larger groups if everyone is exclusively from one or two households – although social distancing must still be maintained with people who you do not live with unless they are in your support bubble.

Where it is anticipated that an activity will attract spectators, there should be a named person or persons with responsibility for ensuring adherence with these guidelines and ensuring the facility is Covid-19 Secure. The person(s) should carry out and publish a risk assessment for the activity, which limits the number of spectators and focuses on the need to maintain social distancing on arrival, for the duration of the activity and on departure.

Arrangements should also be put in place to support test and trace efforts by collecting information from spectators which is detailed enough to allow NHS Test and Trace to contact them if necessary. Read the maintaining records guidance section below for further information.
Government Guidelines
Records Guidance
 
   
 
 
Stage D webinar
This on demand webinar outlines the progressions that can be included following the movement to Stage D on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap.
Watch Now
 
 
 
Catch up on previous webinars
For those who want to catch up on previous webinars, these are available on the England Rugby website. Please click on the links below:

Club Webinars
Referee Webinars
Coach Webinars
 
 
 
Other important news
Community Rugby – Stage D
With the exception of clubs impacted by local lockdown restrictions, we remain at Stage D on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap. The rugby community can now organise non-contact fixtures with other clubs using Ready4Rugby and other touch rugby activity.

Limited and restricted contact rugby training is also now allowed. Detail of the permitted training activity is available in the return to contact training guidance. You can also read more detailed information regarding limited contact training.

A short on demand webinar has been produced to outline the progressions that can be included at Stage D on the roadmap.

RFU guidance as well as Government Coronavirus (Covid-19) Guidelines should be followed.
 
 
 
UK Coaching Week | 14–20 September 2020
Next week we will be supporting UK Coaching Week by showcasing some of the great work of our volunteer coaches on England Rugby channels. This year’s campaign will centre on the need to ‘Support Your Coach’, kicking off with the #GreatCoachingPledge that will call on the nation to give some of their own time, sharing thanks and support for the coaching community. Watch out for more news.
 
 
 
Rugby community doing great things
Rupert Allhusen, a former player of Richmond RFC, celebrated becoming 40, not with a distanced party, but by swimming the English Channel on Sunday 6 September. Two charities will benefit from this great achievement: CMV Action the charity which aims to educate, vaccinate, and eradicate CMV and reduce the risks of this virus in unborn babies, and Richmond Heavies Foundation Defibrillator Fund, which provides defibrillators, training and maintenance to rugby clubs through the Heartbeat Trust. You can read Rupert’s story below.

In addition to clubs helping their communities, we are now highlighting on englandrugby.com: NatWest RugbyForce weekend activities, clubs’ self-help initiatives, as well as activities to improve diversity and inclusion at clubs.

Mitsubishi Motors in the UK are proud supporters of the rugby volunteers across England who make up an integral part of the game. Help us recognise your work by sharing your club and individual 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..

Click below to find out more about the Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer Recognition Programme.
Recognition Programme
Rupert's Story