Word that a phased-in return to play has been approved was welcome news for the , which, like all rugby organizations in B.C., has been idled by the coronovirus pandemic and the need to maintain social distancing.
On Tuesday, July 7, BC Rugby, the provincial governing body of the sport, released their 鈥楻eturn to Rugby鈥� plan and announced existing restrictions would be eased, very slightly.
There are five phases to the plan, with phase two launching with the roll-out of the plan.
Maximum rugby gatherings will go from 10 to 50 people, and total time allowed at rugby events will be extended from 45 to 60 minutes.
Inter-club or contact activities are still banned, and physical distancing of two metres must be maintained at all times, with rugby balls as the only permitted shared equipment.
The next phase, expected to begin in September, would see some 鈥渟mall-sided, non-contact games鈥� within clubs and additional shared equipment, the announcement detailed.
Players would be allowed 鈥渂rief, limited breaches鈥� of social distancing, getting within one metre of each other.
Regular full-contact play is not expected until there is an effective treatment or vaccine for COVID-19.
READ ALSO: VIDEO: 鈥楻espect All, Fear None, Expect Victory.鈥� 91原创 Rugby celebrates 50th anniversary
鈥淩ugby is coming back but it鈥檚 up to all of us to make sure it鈥檚 brought back in a safe and responsible manner,鈥� said BC Rugby CEO Annabel Kehoe.
鈥淲hile we won鈥檛 be returning to full-contact rugby for the foreseeable future, we鈥檙e excited to support clubs delivering modified training before progressing to non-contact rugby, like touch and flag rugby.鈥�
91原创 Rugby Club chair Brian Anderson said the club will be reviewing and implementing the new rules.
鈥溾�淚t might not be the sport as we know it,鈥濃�� Anderson told the 91原创 Advance Times, noting the restrictions on full-contact are a big change for a sport known for its physicality.
Older players, especially, may find it hard to break full-contact habits, so Anderson expects the initial return to the field will probably involve younger players.
鈥淲e鈥檒l focus on player development at the younger ages, because they鈥檒l probably respect social distancing,鈥� Anderson commented.
He doubts there will be any kind of competition against other clubs in 2020.
鈥淲e won鈥檛 be playing this year,鈥� Anderson predicted.
鈥淭hat was my gut feeling.鈥�
He was optimistic about the long-term prospects of the non-profit club, which celebrated it鈥檚 50th anniversary last year.
鈥淲e鈥檒l make it through, but there will be some skinny times,鈥� Anderson commented.
Unlike many clubs, 91原创 Rugby happens to own it鈥檚 own playing field, at , unlike other clubs which have to pay to play.
鈥淲e are fortunate that we own our own grounds.鈥�
Since the 91原创 Rugby Club was founded in 1969 , it went on to purchase and develop the playing field that has been the club home for almost 30 years.
Before the pandemic hit, the club ran several teams including minis (5 years and up), junior boys and girls, women, and two squads of senior men.
Over the years, 91原创 Rugby Club has won several league and provincial championships and many 91原创 Rugby players have gone on to play for regional, provincial and national teams.
The club motto is 鈥淩espect All, Fear None, Expect Victory.鈥�
READ ALSO: Rugby the way it used to be: 91原创 club alumni remember
Under the BC Rugby plan, clubs will be required to complete the World Rugby COVID-19 courses and appoint one or more COVID-19 Safety Coordinators.
Until further notice, BC Rugby will require participants in any in-person rugby session to complete an attestation that they do not have COVID-19 and have not been in contact with a confirmed or possible case within the previous 14 days.
Formally known as the British Columbia Rugby Union, BC Rugby is the governing body for the sport in British Columbia and represents over 7,500 individuals in 60 member clubs and associations in the province.
dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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