The RFL today revealed it was building a plan for how full contact rugby league can return. This follows further easing of restrictions from the government.

The full response can be found below. However, to summarise the key points:

- it will be a phased return
- plans are likely to be confirmed and communicated by the end of July
- non- and limited contact rugby league is expected to return in August
- full contact rugby league is expected in September
- all this is subject to government approval and prevailing restrictions

What it means for us

For us as a club, we will review the information when it is provided and communicate our decision of what level of activity to return to and for which ages.

We, like you are keen to get back in action, however any return to training or playing is subject to our confidence in the accessibility of our venue, our ability to adhere to and implement the guidelines, and our belief that we can keep all our members safe.

As we have said before, the health of everyone at the club is paramount and we will not be leaders in rushing back into action. Instead we will be patient and make sure we can do it right, not quickly.

Plans for the North East season

We are also awaiting guidance from North East Rugby League for the plans for the 2020 season. When we have this, we will be able to give guidance about how we are implementing membership fees for this season. To be insured, all players must be paying these.

We are grateful those that have continued paying their membership fees through recent months. The club still has underlying costs and this support has been invaluable. We will explain our plans to ensure no one feels out of pocket alongside further details about our return in due course.

We would like to thank everyone for their patience and support throughthis extraordinary period and we look forward to seeing you all again soon.

RFL Statement in Full:

The Government announcement this afternoon focused on the restart of team sports, including the phased return of Community Rugby League once a Government-approved Action Plan and related guidance on playing safely are in place.

Marc Lovering, Director Participation and Development; “The announcement was entirely as expected and the implications for Rugby League had already been briefed in the series of community game webinars in recent weeks. As per all Government announcements, further detail will follow, and we will share that with all clubs and volunteers who are working hard on what is a phased return for our sport.”

Community Rugby League will have a phased return over several months (in accordance with information already shared with clubs and leagues). The return of sports is phased depending on the level of contact and risk in each sport (i.e. why low-contact cricket returns ahead of a sport like Rugby League). Phasing also applies to the formats within each sport where applicable.

The RFL’s detailed ‘Action Plan’ (as briefed to the community game) will be completed and sign off sought from the RFL’s Clinical Advisory Group (CAG), Sport England and Government by the end of July.

This Action Plan, together with detailed guidance, will then be shared in full across the sport.

The approval of Sport England and Government is required by all sports as the guidance for each sport will outline the mitigations which will allow social distancing to be breached in the narrow circumstances required for each sport during the activity. i.e. social distancing in every other respect remains – clubhouses, side lines, changing rooms etc.

The Action Plan outlines a return of full-contact Community Rugby League no earlier than September – and subject to the full range of approvals from CAG and Government.

The Action Plan outlines a return of non and limited contact Rugby League in August – subject to the approvals.

Indoor facilities including gyms may reopen from 25 July subject to comprehensive range of hygiene protocols, social distancing, and other mitigations.

Community club activity at this time remains socially outdoor activity in groups of x6.

The RFL Participation and Development team work closely with Sport England, DCMS and other contact sports to inform the work on the detailed Action Plan and guidance for the safe return of all formats of the sport including Touch, Tag RL, Wheelchair RL, LDRL and PDRL as well as 13-a-side youth, junior and Open Age Rugby League.

Source: https://www.rugby-league.com/article/56893/a-phased-return-to-contact-community-rugby-league