Coronavirus Update 25th March 2020

Dear Members, Visitors and Club Staff

Covid-19 update; 25^th March 2020

Monday’s announcement by the Prime Minister has emphasised the seriousness of the Covid-19 pandemic, if it needed to be, and the potential for loss of life that it threatens both in the UK and globally. The PM made it quite clear what steps we; individually, as families and as community organisations should take, to help minimise the spread of this deadly virus, and I am sure you are all playing your part in this respect. Our Clubhouse facilities will remain closed until such times as the Government relaxes the current guidelines and the RFU removes its directive regarding the postponement of all rugby activities. I am sure you will appreciate this is likely to be quite some weeks away.

Once we are allowed to recommence with our club activities we will be looking to all our members and volunteers to help support the drive that will be necessary to minimise the financial impact of Covid-19 on our club and ensure both our short term and long term development plans can continue in a positive direction. If you have any ideas for activities that we could implement to raise funds for our future investment, please do get in touch and let me know. Even better if you would be willing to take the lead on any of these activities, we would like to hear from you.   Our executive are already discussing financial support opportunities that the Government have made available at this time and other ideas for future fund raising activities which we will communicate with you all at the appropriate time.

With regards to RFU activity, I have provided an extract from their most recent communication below for your information.

Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community so please do follow all Government guidance and continue to keep safe and healthy. I look forwards to seeing you all back at Beechwood as soon as possible.

John Cartwright – Chairman

RFU Coronavirus (Covid-19) Update

We would like to thank everyone for their great efforts in implementing the changes that were required following our most recent announcement on Covid-19, which resulted in all rugby activity in England being suspended. We now want to provide you with the latest updates following the advice given by the government.

We continue to review the implications of the government’s advice on the wider aspects of the community game. There are still a number of other matters to be resolved and we will provide further information regularly through this communication, unless there is an urgent need to do otherwise.

The following activities have been cancelled with immediate effect:

The Adult Male Future Competition Structure consultation sessions
The Growing the Female Game regional conferences.
All England Rugby training courses
England Counties tournaments

England Counties U18s home matches against Ireland

England Counties U20s tour to Georgia England Seniors tour to Romania

All Rugby 365 bookings through to Tuesday 14^th April

Other important updates:

In addition to the above cancellations, we would like to provide clarity regarding the following areas:

Support for clubs – we are investigating a range of options to provide support for clubs and hope to communicate more information next week. We are also in close contact with the government to get further details on how the changes announced by the Chancellor yesterday might benefit rugby clubs, e.g. business rates.

Adult competitions – we are currently looking into the implications on, and options for, the conclusion of our Adult Men’s and Adult Women’s competitions for this season. This review work is expected to take the next few weeks and a final position is unlikely to be clear until April.

Age Grade season and competitions – the regulated Age Grade season finishes for clubs, schools and colleges on Sunday 10 May. We are aware that the current suspension of all rugby until Tuesday 14 April impacts on some competitions, we are exploring options on this and any updated position will follow once available.

Further information will be made available if and when interim decisions are taken.

Rugby in schools and colleges – our advice for rugby is clear and means no rugby activity and/or competitions staged in the education sector by us or the Constituent Bodies. However, schools and colleges govern their own PE, curriculum and enrichment activity, therefore they should take guidance from their local education authority, governing body or academy trust. The lead national organisation for colleges sport (Association of Colleges Sport) have also suspended all their activities.

Rugby in universities – university rugby clubs are reminded that, as RFU members, their rugby is subject to the same current restrictions as all other community clubs. The lead national sports organisation in universities (British Universities and Colleges Sport) have also suspended all their activities and are in support of this approach.

Gyms – clubs should follow the government’s advice, i.e. restrict movement, avoid gatherings, etc. Decisions on whether to open or not are at the discretion of clubs and gym activity is not regarded as rugby activity.

Tours – our advice and that of the government should be followed i.e. no incoming tours can play matches before 14 April (at the earliest) and outgoing tours will need to take account of government advice and / or their own insurance specifics.

We appreciate that we are in unprecedented times and we are here to provide support to our clubs and their communities where we can during this challenging period