| Message from RFU Chief Executive Bill Sweeney |
| My
thoughts and those of all of us at the RFU are with everyone impacted
by COVID-19 as well as recent flooding events, both across the country
at large but also within our own rugby union community. In order to provide clarity and to assist with immediate and longer term planning, the RFU is today announcing the end of the 2019/20 rugby season for all league, cup and county rugby in England. The only exception to this is the Gallagher Premiership, who we are in active discussions with to review possible best next steps. When current government advice on social distancing measures changes, we will naturally encourage rugby training and friendlies to recommence. I would like to personally thank everyone for their swift actions in suspending rugby activity, this is not an easy time and I know many of you will have concerns that go beyond the game. We are working through the implications of ending the season early and have instigated a thorough process to ensure fair and balanced outcomes for the game. We will communicate these outcomes by the middle of April. While we would like to provide all the answers now, we need some time to get it right for the best interests of the game. Rest assured we are working on this as a priority and we will continue to send weekly updates to clubs. The three areas of focus for the RFU right now are Welfare, Implications and Reboot. Welfare We are ensuring colleagues and communities are given support to follow government advice and are providing recommendations on how to stay fit and healthy using individual training programmes. We are also talking to government about how we can deploy and mobilise our own resources across England to support the vulnerable. Implications Every union is different, with unique structures and challenges and the RFU needs to manage its own particular complexities. Our business model is similar to most rugby clubs – we earn revenue from events on and off the field and we invest that back into the game. We benefit from strong Twickenham Stadium revenues but we are also exposed if there is widespread cancellation of games and events. In this extraordinary situation we are working through a range of potential financial scenarios dependent mainly on the length of this crisis. This was already budgeted to be a loss making year within a 4 year cycle due to the costs of the 2019 RWC campaign and only hosting two home Six Nations games. The loss will now be considerably more as we face challenges similar to businesses across the entire country. There may well also be much longer term financial implications which we are assessing now. It is therefore taking us some time to develop a considered position on how we can support clubs and the rugby community, which we will do. We have already undertaken financial measures to safeguard the business enabling us to review all options and programmes to provide support for clubs in these difficult times. We welcome the measures announced by Government which could provide crucial support to professional and community clubs and the RFU. We are in regular contact with Sport England and The Sport and Recreation Alliance to understand how business rate relief and hardship funds can be accessed by clubs and will be providing assistance to make sure every club who is eligible will be supported. The implications for all areas of rugby will be thoroughly worked through and solutions discussed and developed with the clubs. Reboot Our welfare advice before the start of next season will switch to offering guidance on how players at all levels can reboot and get match ready. We will work closely with constituent bodies to support clubs, competition organisers and the wider rugby community in preparing to re-start rugby in what is likely to be a challenging environment. In recent days we have all been inspired by the many stories across the rugby family working together to support those who are the most vulnerable in their community – this encapsulates the unique spirit of rugby. I am confident that this spirit and resilience during these tough times will ensure we will come through this together and emerge stronger. Take care and stay safe, Bill Sweeney |
Club’s Forum – Postponed
Please note, the Club’s Forum scheduled to be held at Camborne RFC on Thursday 9th April has been postponed.
Club secretaries and reps have been informed by e-mail by the Hon. Secretary.
Revived Bob Kennedy game a huge success
Bob Kennedy Memorial Match
Report by Martin Symons
Camborne President’s XV 7 – 5 Camborne School of Mines
Camborne narrowly prevailed in an evenly contested clash with the Students in front of a good sized crowd at the Recreation Ground.
The hard fought encounter proved to be a fitting renewal of the Bob Kennedy Memorial match after several seasons absence and marked 40 years since the inception of the contest in 1980.
Courtesy of sponsors Strongbow Exploration and with the generous support of a host of CSM alumni an excellent celebration event for more than 100 guests followed proceedings in a packed ‘Town’ bar at Crane Park.
On the pitch the Cherry & Whites led 7-0 at the break after skipper Dean Pascoe sent centre Oakley Smitham over near the posts for scrum half Luke Martin to add the extras.
In the 2nd half the School hit back with an unconverted touchdown from wing Charlie Wren.
Late on Camborne had to dig deep in defence to keep their line intact securing the spoils when fly half Pascoe gleefully booted the ball to the safety of touch.
Reunited 40 years on from the inaugural Bob Kennedy match are six members of Camborne’s team and two of the match officials. (left to right) Derek Taylor, Merrill Clymo (touch judge), Stephen Rogers, Martyn Hendra, David Richards, Jon Bowden, David Martin (referee) and Nigel Tregenza. Picture Steve Mock.
RFU suspends all rugby activity
Following government advice, the RFU will suspend all rugby activity in England, at both professional and community level.
Rugby activity includes club training, league and cup matches plus rugby education courses from 17 March until 14 April subject to continued review.
The decision has been taken following government advice in the interests of players, coaches, referees, volunteers, supporters and the wider rugby union community.
Where possible, players at all levels are encouraged to maintain their own personal fitness and keep active during this time, while following government guidelines about safe distance and safe exercise environments.
The RFU will continue to review and monitor government advice and will provide detailed updates on the impact to the season in the coming weeks.
Clarification on fixture postponements affected by Covid-19
| Further to the information included in yesterday’s Community Game update and in response to enquiries from clubs and players, we would like to provide clarification on the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in organised competitions. The government yesterday announced that there is no change in advice regarding sporting events at the moment i.e. they can continue. Given this, league and cup games planned for this weekend will played as usual. However we recognise that competition organisers, players and clubs are seeking advice on specific details, so the RFU’s position is that in the event of situations where: (a) Covid-19 case or cases have been reported or suspected in relation to player and/or individuals connected to a club (or closely connected to a club, player or such other individual connected to a club); and/or (b) such individuals are subject to the Governmental advice to self-isolate; Postponements of fixtures involving the clubs will be permitted as a justifiable reason for postponement, subject to clubs notifying the opposition and the competition organiser of the postponement (in accordance with competition organisers’ instructions). The RFU regulations will continue to apply. We will keep this under continual review and will be assessing the situation over the weekend in line with latest Government advice. If there are any planned changes to the future playing of the league and cup programmes this will be communicated to clubs and participants as soon as possible. If (a) or (b) applies to your team please contact: • Mens teams playing in RFU Leagues (English Club Championship) and Cups – your league secretary or competitions organiser • Mens teams playing in Merit/CB Leagues – your league secretary or competitions organiser • Womens teams playing in RFU Leagues – womenscompetitions@RFU.com • Age Grade – Your league secretary or competitions organiser Teamwork Respect Enjoyment Discipline Sportsmanship |
Covid -19 Virus (Coronavirus)
Letter that has been sent out to all Cornish Club Secretaries this week from the CRFU.
Dear Secretary,
Re: Covid Virus.
The CRFU is very aware of the problems and decisions that clubs at all levels of rugby will have to make regarding Coronavirus (Covid).
We are aware that we should all show due diligence to ensure the welfare of players, coaches and the rugby community at this difficult time. The advice to us all continues to change and as we approach the weekend fixtures club officials may need support with decision making and the more practical operational details.
We will update the CRFU Web as and when matters develop as well as contacting the Clubs where it is felt necessary and may we confirm that CRFU officials are pleased to help in any way and can be contacted as the situation requires.
May we also draw your attention to a specific situation relating to Clubs and its players who have been selected to represent their County and we ask that the following is observed please:
Should someone catch the virus whilst engaged with county sides, CRFU will inform the club. However, this does not cover someone who has been with the County who subsequently developed symptoms nor does it cover a county player who may have been in contact with someone at the club who developed symptoms. As the government regularly state, tracking contacts is essential in dealing with the Covid.
Can we therefore ask all Clubs that they inform us, in total confidence, of any reports of the virus within their club so we can take appropriate actions in respect of representative rugby so as to limit the spread please? Equally, CRFU will, in total confidence, inform the respective club of any Covid related development that may affect club activities as a result of having one of their players engaged in representative rugby.
The contact person is Bob Hubble, Rugby Safe Lead (rugbysafe@crfu.co.uk) who will treat any correspondence as confidential.
Once again can we remind you that the CRFU Officers will be happy to help in any way and you should not hesitate in making contact with one.
Yours,
Dave Saunter, Chair.
John Sumnall, President.
Statement concerning county fixtures for this weekend
Leading up to CRFU representative teams playing at the weekend all precautions and professional advice is being taken to ensure the welfare of our players, coaches and members of the rugby community.
Contact with players, clubs, coaches and where necessary player’s parents has been maintained. Players have been given good advice about hygiene and procedures by our CRFU doctor.
At present, while we remain vigilant and updated on developments, all our fixtures are going ahead.
Please refer to the CRFU website for further updates as and when they are required.
Chris Lea
Chairman of Representative Rugby
Activate exercise program
As part of the RugbySafe support packages the RFU has the Activate exercise programme which is proven to prevent injuries and concussion as illustrated in this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b288WrLJXA&feature=youtu.be Although the video concentrates on junior players the programme is similarly effective on senior players. So, if you are having trouble raising teams due to injuries then instigating this simple programme may make your life easier and save the anxious Thursday evening phone calls trying to find enough fit players. If you are interested, the programme can be delivered by the RFU regional development officers. Please direct any expressions of interest to rugbysafe@crfu.co.uk and we will coordinate some sessions.
Adult Competitions Review Clubs Meeting
Alan Milliner, Cornwall Club Representative on the RFU Council, is to Chair a meeting, re the above, at Bodmin RFC on Monday 23rd March, commencing at 7 pm.
All club secretaries and club reps to the CRFU have been advised of this meeting by CRFU Secretary Terry Williams.
It is hoped to see someone representing each cornish club on the night.
Alan is keen to get a collective club view on the proposals so that he can best represent your views with the RFU.
Latest bulletin from RFU regarding coronavirus.
There have been a number of queries about whether we are putting out any information for clubs on the Coronavirus.
As a Union we will not be giving advice or guidance as the latest information is available via the Government website and is updated daily. It is important that clubs use the government’s guidance to inform their knowledge, available here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public?gclid=CjwKCAiAvonyBRB7EiwAadauqeYJ2mMvVaQkTC9HPUsOyQlxnV0e-1avnXWHM41AduzME9tzdXCk3xoCDlwQAvD_BwE
As tour season is approaching we advise clubs to monitor via the Government website the situation at their overseas proposed tour destination . The link can be found here.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
The following information may also be helpful for clubs.
It is up to individual clubs to decide internally if or how or what they communicate to their members.
Regards
RFU Safeguarding Team
