Essex RFU

As you will no doubt be aware, the phased return to "normality" in the wake of COVID-19 is fast paced and ever changing BUT we are moving in the right direction.

In an update from HM Government on Thursday 28 May 2020, it was announced that, among other things, with effect from 1 June 2020 we will be allowed to meet in groups of up to 6 people, providing that people from different households continue to observe social distancing measures.

Naturally, this is a huge step and allows us to see friends and family members in person for the first time in months. It also has a clear impact on sport and our ability to begin a phased return to group activity and team sport and a further update from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport ("DCMS") was given on Sunday 31 May 2020, giving clearer guidance on small groups gathering for sports. The RFU is being led by HM Government to ensure that we return as safely as possible to the sport we love and to our rugby families and, with that in mind, they have released new guidance on training in small groups.

From today, 3 June 2020, outdoor field based training will be permitted in small groups of up to 6 people (including the coach) with no more than 4 groups per full size pitch. All social distancing measures must be followed for anyone training with people outside their own household and equipment sharing must be kept to a minimum with strict hygiene protocols in place, this includes balls, cones/tees, bibs and so on. Small group training can only be carried out once every 24 hours, i.e. you cannot go from one small group session to another, and no physical contact is permitted. You can find RFU guidance on returning to play here as well as government guidance on staying safe outside your home here.

All advice regarding the reopening of facilities remains the same, namely that clubs should only open toilets and the thoroughfares required to access either the toilets or pitch. If clubs have the facility and it is cost effective to do so, they may open to sell food and drink to take away. You can find guidance regarding your facility here and government advice on the relaxed planning laws surrounding takeaway food here.

The RFU is circulating twice-weekly Community Game Updates to all clubs and these include all updates on new guidance, good news from grassroots clubs, links to useful resources and more. If you don't receive these, you can find all Coronavirus Community Game Updates here. We will keep our own website as up to date as we can but if in doubt, head to http://www.englandrugby.com/coronavirus.

If you have any questions, please do contact Ivor Smith (Essex County RFU) or Annie Coulson (RFU) via the details below.

Ivor Smith: hon.sec@essexrugby.com

Annie Coulson: anniecoulson@rfu.com
07563554130