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 is from Step 2 of the Governments roadmap.  Step 3 is not expected to be reviewed no earlier than the 17^th May. The Return to Play Guidelines have been updated to reflect the changes.

We will issue further updates as we receive these closer to that date.

Travel

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. Participants should note that this guidance will be updated as we move through the different steps of the Government’s roadmap. All participants should therefore regularly review this guidance to make sure they are following up to date information.

Reminder that car sharing is not permitted with someone from outside your household or your support bubble unless your journey is undertaken for an exempt reason. For example, if car sharing is reasonably necessary as part of your work.

Changing Rooms & Toilets

Changing rooms can be used as part of step two of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown.

You should inform participants that these are areas of increased risk and that they should shower and change at home where possible.

If participants do need to use changing rooms, they should minimise time spent inside, maintain social distancing from people they do not live with (or share a relevant bubble with). More than one household can use changing facilities at one time, but they must ensure that social distancing rules are followed. Any relevant capacity limits must be adhered to at all times.  Clubs should also note that the maximum occupancy of each indoor facility should be limited by providing a minimum of 100sqft per person.

Toilets will be allowed to open, 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after training and/or matches.

You should follow any relevant measures in the sport facility guidance.

Spectators

On 7th April the Government updated its guidance in relation to spectators, which can be found here. This confirms that at step two spectators are not permitted to attend sporting events taking place on private land, other than adults needed to supervise Under-18’s for whom they have a responsibility or providing care or assistance to a person with disabilities participating in an organised sporting event or activity. They should maintain social distance and not mix with other households.

This does not prevent people from viewing recreational or organised sport that is taking place in a public space, e.g. a park, in groups of up to six people or two households. However, sporting events that are intended to attract spectators, or events that are likely to attract a significant number of spectators (e.g. large matches) should not take place in a public space, or on private land, until step three.

It is important that all spectators (including supporters, parents and others) adhere to the legal gathering limits. In addition to being legal requirements punishable by fines, those violating the measures are endangering public safety and undermining the case for safe sport to be allowed to take place. 

Outdoor Hospitality

As part of step two of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown, outdoor hospitality at community rugby league is permitted.

In Step 2, outdoor hospitality at events is permitted in groups of up to 6 people, or with one other household.

All participants must follow Government guidance on hospitality settings and specific advice for sport facility operators available on the Government’s website.

People using clubhouses and hospitality facilities must adhere to legal gathering limits and wider government guidance.

Please note that while outdoor hospitality is permitted, spectators are not allowed at games unless on public land.

Test and Trace Guidelines

We have amended our Test and Trace guidelines which can be found HERE.

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.