Phase 2 of the Club's Return to Play Guidelines are contained below.
The guidelines and procedures contain responsibilities for every member who attends a club training session. Everyone who attends training sessions, either as a participant or as a parent/guardian must be familiar with their responsibilities under the guidelines.
The Club has developed a Return To Play - Guidelines and Procedures document to support the return to rugby activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidelines are based upon and in-line with those developed by Rugby Victoria, which were approved by Sport and Recreation Victoria.
The guidelines and procedures contain responsibilities for every member who attends a club training session. Everyone who attends training sessions, either as a participant or as a parent/guardian must be familiar with their responsibilities under the guidelines.
Following the Community Advisory Panel update to clubs on 30 May 2020, below is the most current advice in regards to the commencement of Community Rugby.
It is expected that the Federal Government will soon be announcing a staged approach to a return to sport, in line with the easing of restrictions over the coming weeks. This will be a 3 staged approach with the following criteria:
Stage B
It is anticipated the State Government will lift the State of Emergency on 11th May and around the same time, restrictions will be eased allowing for a ‘Stage B’ resumption of community sporting activities. Clarification is being sought regarding Stage B social distancing measures and how this pertains to sporting clubs i.e. how many groups of 10 or less will be permitted to train at a single facility/field and how many fields may be in operation. As noted, this period will allow for the development of skills, fitness and conditioning prior to any contact work or competition games. This stage will remain in place for at least 28 days at which point, if transmissions remain limited, we may transition to Stage C.
Stage C
Stage C may commence as early as 10 June at which point the Return to Play (RTP) program and full training may commence. The RTP program is now expected to be a 3 week program (not 4 weeks as previously advised) which means clubs could potentially be playing competition games by early July. A specific commencement date will likely be set in the next 2 weeks.
There remain no further updates regarding the length of the season, access to facilities during the month of October, or the funding and subsidisation of sporting activities, except to say that working groups continue to meet and discuss the issues.
Below are the competition models being considered by Rugby Victoria. As noted in the previous update:
Option 1 is the preferred option as it will provide for a full season with continued access to club facilities.
As we move closer to the resumption of activities we encourage all members to stay active, keep training and working on your skills so that we may hit the ground running in May/June should training resume.
Travis de Gelder
President
Southern Districts Rugby Club
A further update regarding the 2020 rugby season.
Community Rugby remains postponed until at least 1 June 2020. This includes all Rugby activity including matches, training and face-to-face education courses. It is expected that the State Government will provide an update on restriction measures on, or before, 11 May 2020. During this time Rugby Victoria continues to plan for a recommencement of the season and advances models to support this recommencement.
What will the season look like if restrictions are relaxed?
Rugby Victoria have drafted a number of models based on factors such as commencement dates, an extension to the season and access to facilities. The below options are based upon the Senior Competitions.
Option 1 is the preferred option as it will provide for a full season with continued access to club facilities.
Can we start training before the season starts?
Current restrictions remain in place until 11 May 2020, at which point the State Government will provide an update.
The models developed by Rugby Victoria and the Rugby Australia Chief Medical Officer provide for a Return to Play framework which will allow for a “preseason” prior to the commencement of competition games.
The Return to Play Framework will be structured over a 4 week period and will include the following:
This framework has been structured to incrementally introduce physical contact and ensure there is not a spike of transmissions across the community.
Will the Junior and Masters season be the same as the Seniors?
Models for the junior season are still being developed, however due to the decreased physicality and contact of some junior competition, the Return to Play framework may be relaxed for junior and Masters rugby. Therefore, these competitions may commence before the seniors, with plans to host junior finals the week prior to the commencement of senior finals.
What else does the Return to Play Framework consist of?
The framework has 3 components:
The Club and Facilities component will include issues such as hygiene measures to reduce transmissions and keep members safe from infection.
Other meetings and working groups are reviewing community sporting factors such as sports funding, levies and discount vouchers which may be used for registration fees.
Will the season be extended through October?
An LGA Sport COVID-19 Working Group has been established by Sport and Recreation Victoria to bring together key stakeholders from across the sector to discuss community sport. One of the factors being discussed by the working group is winter/summer tenancies and an extension of the winter season until the end of October.
What's happening with registration fees?
With Rugby Victoria modelling providing for a possible "full season" there is no further update on fees. As noted above, working groups are discussing factors to support members and clubs through this period and provide a 'value for money' product.
When will we be updated?
Rugby Victoria holds weekly briefings to update clubs on the situation. Rugby Victoria also post regular updates to their website and communicate changes through their social media page. As a Club we will also provide regular updates to our members and communicate any significant changes to the season or the club in general.
The SDRC committee are always available to answer any questions you may have and enquiries can be sent through the club website: https://www.southerndistrictsrugby.club/contact-us/
Travis de Gelder
President
Southern Districts Rugby Club
Dear Members and supporters,
A quick update in regards to COVID-19, the rugby season and the club.
As you will be aware all community rugby has been suspended until the first week of May. In light of current events this date does seem optimistic, however we can only go by the advice received and as such we are planning for a return to rugby activities from this date. With the situation evolving on a daily basis this date may change, in which case we will keep you informed and continue to implement changes as required.
In the meantime, below is a list of updates which you might like to keep in mind over the next few weeks:
We recognise that this is a stressful time for many and that activities such as rugby may become less important. Despite this, our rugby community remains incredibly strong and important. We encourage all our members and supporters to remain connected, to check in with each other and support each other during this challenging time.
If you have any concerns or questions, or would like to discuss how we might support others in our community, then please do not hesitate to reach out to the Committee.
Travis de Gelder
President
Southern Districts Rugby Club