| Coronavirus (Covid-19) update RFU Headlines Community rugby – current status England is now in national lockdown until Wednesday 2 December and all team sports have been suspended, including club age grade and adult rugby activities below Championship and Premier 15s. With effect from today, we return to Stage A on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap. This means that no competitive or formal rugby activities can be undertaken until at least Wednesday 2 December. While group training sessions are banned, a maximum of two players (or one player and one coach) can participate in socially distanced (two metres plus), individual training sessions in a public outside space, but not a garden, without sharing equipment. FAQ’s from Sport England are available below. Government Guidance FAQs To read the rest of the update, click on the link |
CRFU to canvass clubs re In-County rugby competition
After last night’s Management Board Meeting we are now in a position to send out draft In-County fixtures for all 28 Cornish clubs.
As you can imagine this was not an easy exercise with clubs ranging from National League 2 down to Duchy League 2nd teams.
We have tried to keep playing ability and geography a priority, especially at the highest level.
Thanks to Chris Jewels Chairman of the Competitions Committee for his hard work in compiling these fixtures.
The draft fixtures have been sent to club Chairmen, Hon.Secretaries and CB club reps. Please share these with your coaches and come back to CRFU Hon. Sec Terry Williams with your thoughts. This is a starting point not cast in stone, so your constructive feedback is encouraged.
We will then instruct the RFU of our plan for the eventual return to play when allowed.
Dave Saunter
Chairman Cornwall RFU
RFU Roadmap return to stage A
| Parliament has today voted in favour of the Government’s national lockdown proposals aimed at curbing the increase in Covid-19 cases in England, which take effect from tomorrow (Thursday 5 November) until Wednesday 2 December. In addition, the Government has announced the cessation of all community team sports during this period, which applies to Age Grade and Adult rugby activities below Championship and Premier 15s. With effect from tomorrow, we return to Stage A on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap. This means that no competitive or formal rugby activities can be undertaken until at least Wednesday 2 December. While group training sessions are banned, a maximum of two players can participate in socially distanced (two metres plus), individual training sessions outside without sharing equipment. We will now review what the implications of this national lockdown plan mean for clubhouses, schools, colleges, universities, etc., and will provide more detailed information in the Covid-19 Community Game Update tomorrow. In addition, we would like to advise that the RFU Competitions Team is working with the Competitions Organising Committees for Men and Women to finalise alternative competitions models in place of the cancelled 2020/21 league programme. These will be entirely optional for clubs and will have no impact on promotion/relegation. They will focus on local cluster leagues and offer a framework for clubs to Return to Play (in some format once we have government approval to do so). It is intended to circulate these proposals, inviting clubs to participate, on Friday 13 November. |
RFU Update 3rd November
| We recognise that Tuesday is club training night and are therefore issuing our weekly communication earlier than usual today on one topic only. Following the Prime Minister’s announcement of a national lockdown last Saturday, we continue to speak regularly to the Government to seek clarification on what the national lockdown restrictions, coming into force on Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December, mean for community rugby. We recognise that there is significant speculation circulating regarding potential outcomes. However, we currently do not know what the precise implications of these restrictions are. We expect to issue a further communication as soon as we receive a further update, which is likely to arrive over the next 24-36 hours, once the plans have been considered by Parliament tomorrow. Until the Government issues a further announcement, we continue to be able to operate at Stage D on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap and, therefore, usual Tuesday night training sessions can take place today. Clubs impacted by local tier 2 and tier 3 restrictions should follow any local authority guidance that is in place for their venues. You can find out more on the link below. Given the current situation, today’s edition of the Covid-19 Community Game Update will be issued later this week. |
| Local Guidance |
A message from CRFU Chairman Dave Saunter
Following the RFU announcement yesterday I wanted to re-iterate what the CRFU Management Board have been doing behind the scenes.
We have been led to believe that if the go ahead is given by the Government to play, RFU will sort out fixtures. Our question would be: “Is this in the interest of our Cornish clubs, if not what do we offer as an alternative?”
We have already started to put together return to play merit tables and once we have had a chat with Competitions committee we will come back to you with a structure, which you will either welcome or we can tweak.
Our priority is still to have 28 Cornish clubs playing rugby when we return to normality. In the meantime if you have embraced ready for rugby, keep up the good work.
I’ll be in touch again next week with an update.
Also be assured that I am in contact with Steve Grainger, RFU Rugby Development Director on both the phone and by e mail. I did suggest to him that perhaps we could be used as a pilot using the laws the ladies are using in the Allianz Prem, he was going to carry that forward ……..We are trying to cover all bases. In the meanwhile stay safe and fit.
Saunts
RFU cancels adult competitive leagues for the 2020/21 season
The RFU Council has made the difficult decision to cancel the Adult Competitive Leagues (Level 3 and below for Men, Level 2 and below for Women) for the 2020/21 season.
We believe that, even if a return to full contact rugby becomes possible, playing a meaningful competitive league season resulting in promotion and relegation is no longer feasible.
Given the Government’s additional restrictions to curb the increase in COVID-19 cases in locations across the country, and growing concerns around travelling significant distances outside immediate localities to fulfil fixtures due to increased risk of transmission, the decision has been made now so we can provide clubs with some certainty for the remainder of the season.
The Championship remains on course to start in January 2021, with this league subject to Government’s Elite Return to Play protocols.
What rugby can we play?
We have been in daily contact with Government about moving towards some form of contact rugby that will enable as many matches to take place as possible.
Steve Grainger, RFU Rugby Development Director, said:“We are very keen to see competitive rugby being played again and have been pushing extremely hard to accelerate a return to contact rugby. However, we also need to be realistic about the prevalence of COVID-19 cases in society and, given the introduction of further regional restrictions, we are working with Government to create alternative solutions.
“Progress has been made following productive conversations with DCMS and the Office of the Deputy Chief Medical Officer who have shown a willingness to work with the RFU to explore other available options.”
Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “I know that today’s decision from the RFU will be disappointing to players and fans across the country however protecting people’s health is absolutely paramount. The government is continuing to work closely with the RFU on ways in which we can bring the competitive, community game back in some form ahead of a return to full contact as soon as the public health situation allows.”
Steve Grainger added: “While many people have looked forward to contact rugby returning, we are receiving more and more feedback from clubs and players that adaptations would be acceptable. There is an increasing appetite to play an adapted format of rugby rather than having no fixtures at all.
“We will do everything we can to enable the rugby community to return to contact play as soon as we can, but our priority is to keep players, coaches, referees and volunteers safe. We will provide an update to our community clubs as soon as we can. We would like to once again thank everyone for their incredible efforts in implementing the necessary changes and for their continued support in keeping formats of rugby going during this challenging season.”
For the current time we remain at Stage D on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap.
RFU Community Game Update – 27th October
| Coronavirus (Covid-19) update In today’s edition, we provide advice and tips on Return4Rugby, Sport England funding and affected areas in the Covid-19 tier system and take the opportunity to look at the origins of ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’. With regard to showing the Quilter Internationals 2020, part of the Autumn Nations Cup, Amazon has managed to secure a solution for pubs and clubs which we will be communicating with the game shortly once Amazon have finalised the detail. In the meantime, England v Ireland on Saturday 21 November will be shown on Channel 4, which will be available to any club who has a TV license. We will also be shortly announcing the broadcaster for both fixtures in the Women’s Autumn Internationals as England face France. We are constantly working with Government to return to rugby but, as a reminder, we are still at Stage D on the Roadmap, and RFU guidance, as well as Government Coronavirus (Covid-19) Guidelines, must be followed. Local restriction powers lie with their local authorities and clubs need to check the latest position, as restrictions may change frequently over the coming weeks. To access the full update click on the link Please visit our dedicated web portal on the England Rugby website to access coronavirus information and resources. Past editions of these weekly updates can be found on the website. |
CRFU to launch local 1st Aid & Safeguarding courses- Updated
The CRFU are looking to address the urgent need for local courses highlighted from recent cluster meetings with our clubs that have taken place.
This initiative can only work with the co-operation of you, our clubs, so please respond to help us, to help you.
Due to Lockdown these courses have been put on hold until the New Year.
A message from CRFU Chairman to all clubs
Hi all,
Update from the CRFU Management Board. We continue to meet via Zoom on a fortnightly basis to discuss all things rugby and how we can push on in these unsettling times.
As previously stated the RFU have reduced our budget by 70%, we however feel we must still continue to support our clubs with both assistance and finance.
To that aim we have match funded 50% of the RFU budget making £12k available to our clubs for capital projects. This is to a maximum of £500 per club matched by the club themselves, normal process to be followed and David Martin is the first point of contact.
Finally, and most importantly, to qualify for this all Golden roles on GMS must be populated by your club and be up to date.
We have appointed our Diversity and Inclusion lead, and welcome Steve Murley to post. He has already hit the ground running and has been in touch with all club secretaries.
We are currently STILL at stage D on the road map back to playing, and lots of our clubs are playing ready for rugby. I have spoken to Steve Avenall, and as always our Referee Society are keen to be part of this. Contact Steve and where possible he will appoint a local ref to oversee proceedings.
As far as contact rugby is concerned I’m sure we are all waiting with baited breath for a return. The RFU have stated that no league structure will come in place before January, if however we get the go ahead and leagues are not started, the CRFU are happy to take the mantle and arrange in county leagues as a one off for this season. Hopefully it will not come to this but I think it’s important for you to know we have a contingency plan in place.
We are all in this together and hopefully contact rugby is not far away, as always feel free to contact us to discuss anything rugby either through your Project Trelawny Cluster rep or I’m always available on 07554010480.
Saunts
RFU Community Game Update – 20th October
| Coronavirus (Covid-19) update In today’s edition we update on the restart of training courses for 2020/2021, highlight new Sport England Funding, affected areas in the Covid-19 tier system, wearing of gloves by players and guidance on fireworks. We are constantly working with Government to return to rugby but as a reminder that we are still at Stage D on the Roadmap, and RFU guidance, as well as Government Coronavirus (Covid-19) Guidelines, must be followed. Local restriction powers lie with their local authorities and clubs need to check the latest position, as restrictions may change frequently over the coming weeks. To access the update click on the link Please visit our dedicated web portal on the England Rugby website to access coronavirus information and resources. Past editions of these weekly updates can be found on the website. |
