On 19th June, the RFL published its Rugby League Return to Play Plan for the Community Game, building on the latest advice from Government (DCMS) and Sport England.

Having reviewed the information, the club has decided to maintain its current stance of no club activity at this time. Our training venue remains closed and we are not comfortable we can provide a training area with sufficient health and safety requirements.

What is in the RFL guidance?

In the published document, the RFL sets out what activity is allowed aligned with the government’s 5-step alert level.

The alert level recently dropped from level 4 to level 3, meaning the virus is in general circulation and there is a gradual relaxation of restrictions.

This aligns to the RFL Return To Play Stage 2 where only small group based activity with social distancing measures in place is allowed. This is where we are now.

What is the Next Stage?

When the Government Alert system moves from Level 3 to Level 2, this will align with the RFL Return to Play Stage 3.

Stage 3 allows social rugby league with social distancing criteria reduced. This would take the form of tag or touch rugby, progressing over time to X-League style semi-contact, albeit with rule adaptions to reduce the risk.

At Stage 3, full contact is still restricted with no leagues or competitions activity allowed.

When will we return?

When the RFL guidance moves to Stage 3, the club will consider returning to some form of activity, subject to a review of the risks, venue availability and the prevailing government advice.

Until then, no official activity is permitted by any members of the club, regardless of efforts to following the available guidance.

When will it go back to normal?

We will return to ‘normal’ (contact rugby and competitive activity) when the RFL Return to Play reaches Stage 4. This aligns with the government alert system moving from Level 2 (Number of cases and transmission is low) to Level 1 (COVID-19 is no longer present in the UK).

Any returns will be phased and following RFL guidance. We cannot say when that will be but as we have said before, we do not intend to be leaders in returning to activity, instead observing and understanding what other sports and clubs encounter in terms of processes and challenges. The safety of all our members remains of the utmost priority.

If you have any questions, please get in touch via your Team Manager or social media.