Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard over the past year to sustain our clubs and keep players active and engaged. Without the commitment and discipline, the community game has shown in complying with the ever-changing Government guidance and protocols our return would not be assured.  We need to continue to work together to ensure we have the same levels of commitment and discipline as we look to navigate the next few months and ensure this return is permanent.

Please see below the most up to date information from the RFL in line with the Government advice, this update will take us up until Step 2 of the Governments roadmap on April 12^th. We will issue further updates as we receive these closer to that date.

Tiers

The tiered system has now been removed and the Government’s approach moving forward, will be a national approach.

Travel

The Government guidance on travel is that the ‘stay at home’ rule will end on Monday 29 March, but many restrictions will remain in place. As organised sport can resume, all participants may travel to games but should avoid travel at the busiest times and routes, as well as minimising any unnecessary journeys where possible. All participants must follow the Government’s guidance on safer travel, which we expect will be updated shortly. 

Changing Rooms

Changing rooms cannot be used as part of step one in the roadmap out of lockdown and must remain shut. We are working with the Government on what this will look like through each step of restrictions being lifted. We are anticipating restricted use of changing rooms will be allowed at Step 3 and will update further in due course. We will update our guidance as soon as we have any further information. Toilets will be allowed to open, 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after training and/or matches.

Spectators

No spectators are allowed at training or matches as part of step one of the Government’s roadmap, unless for safeguarding purposes which should be limited to one parent or carer per child. Again we are anticipating this will change as we progress through the roadmap.

Indoor Sport

Indoor sport is not currently allowed. This is planned to return no earlier than Monday 17th May, as part of step three of the Government’s roadmap. There is an exemption for organised indoor disability sport including changing rooms.

Return to Training

We have previously issued 5 weeks of Return to Contact Coaching Cards to support Clubs with reintroducing players to training and the safe introduction of contact training.  A link to these can be found on the RFL website HERE.

Any increased level of contact will still be controlled and in pods of 10 to minimise the numbers of players who may need to isolate in the event of positive cases being reported.

• Session plans must be in place which must clearly define what activity is permissible and for how long. As we are starting to see in other settings such as schools it is important that clubs can identify what close contact if any has occurred at each session and who may be affected to assist with any subsequent Test and Trace efforts.

• Social Distancing guidelines must always be adhered to on and off the pitch except during those narrow windows during sessions where medium risk activity is permitted. It will be challenging to maintain standards as increased contact is phased in, but vital.

• Similarly, please ensure hygiene standards are maintained and rules around ensuring a Covid-19 secure venue are being observed.

• There is a maximum number of people that can be on a Rugby League pitch at any one time.  The current limit is 30 inclusive of any coaching staff.  NB. Clubs are not allowed to split the pitch in half and run two sessions of 30, at the same time. 

• Reminder that only one parent should attend any training session – this is for safeguarding reasons.

The Government announced that Recreational Sport can return from the 29th of March.

The timelines for our Community Game Return to Play are detailed below:

• March 29 – Training to begin! – This includes return of Touch RL, Try Tag and X-League.  There is a phased return to contact.
• April 24/25 – Primary RL games may commence
• April 24/25 & May 1/2 – Friendly fixtures may take place
• May 8/9 – Competitions may commence

It is important that Clubs read through the Return to Play Guidelines that can be found below as you will need to ensure that you are fully compliant with these.