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Oakmeadians Return to Rugby Procedure

If you have any questions regarding our COVID-19 procedure or need more information on the subject, please contact,

Neil Bibby, DOR 07725 593646 or Jane Hart, Chairman 07715 531143 e: chairman@oakmeadians-rfc.com

COVID 19 - UPDATE                                               05.01.21

Following guidance from Government the RFU have moved rugby to Stage D2 as of Monday 26th April

This means we can move to some contact training (still excluding scrum and maul) and adult and age grade matches with Adapted Laws (no scrum and maul).

A copy of the RFU Roadmap can be found HERE. Please go to our dedicated COVID-19 page for further details of the club's updated policies and processes.

Oakmeadians RFC

COVID-19 RETURN TO RUGBY POLICY AND GUIDANCE 2020 (Version 6)

These are truly unprecedented times and Oakmeadians RFC is committed to return to rugby through all age groups and sections when it is safe for everyone to do so. Government guidelines are changing from week to week, with the easing of the 2nd lockdown training is now a possibility as long as we take care and follow all the health and safety guidance. The following procedure is a working document and can change at any time. Oakmeadians RFC has taken advice from RFU government and local council.

This document covers:

  • RFU road map for return to rugby. Version December 2020.
  • RFU covid-19 Law variations. 02/12/2020
  • Stage E guidance for adapted games. 02/12/20
  • Oakmeadians RFC Procedure for Training and games during COVID-19.  

RFU Statement.

‘All other age grade rugby must remain at Stage A until 29th March - meaning individuals can exercise alone or with one other from another household until Monday 29th March.

We are pleased to be able to publish our provisional plan for a phased return to full contact rugby. It’s wonderful to see light at the end of the tunnel and we are as delighted as clubs and players across the country that they will soon be able to resume training and, subject to each step on government’s roadmap being achieved, progress towards contact fixtures and an exciting season of rugby for 2021/22 from September. Please note the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap has been revised to follow steps on the government roadmap. Please therefore disregard previous versions and only share the new ‘green for go’ roadmap below. We have removed Stages B and C as they are no longer currently relevant due to changes in government restrictions. Over the next couple of weeks, we will provide stage-by-stage guidance on our Return to Rugby page which will include all the information you’ll need for a gradual return to contact rugby. Guidance will include equipment that can be used at each stage and videos with our coach development team.’

Please note the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap has been revised to follow steps on the government roadmap. Please therefore disregard previous versions and only share the new ‘green for go’ roadmap below. We have removed Stages B and C as they are no longer currently relevant due to changes in government restrictions.

While we are all incredibly excited about getting back out on the pitch, we should also be conscious of the need to build-up gradually after a long lay-off. The focus for all activity over the next three months should be on player retention and player safety.

RFU RETURN TO RUGBY UPDATE 5th March 2021

COVID-19 LAW VARIATIONS 2020/21

  • There will be no scrums or mauls in the game.
  • Instead of a scrum, the game will begin with a free kick. This free kick cannot be taken quickly.
  • A minimum of five and a maximum of seven players from each team are required to form a lineout.
  • A team awarded a penalty or free kick will no longer be able to choose a scrum option.
  • A team awarded a penalty or free kick at a lineout can instead choose another lineout at the same mark.

There is no obligation for players and clubs to play 15-a-side adaptations. Clubs will still be able to play Ready4Rugby matches up until and beyond 18th December.

Adapted Stage E rules/laws for Age Grade Rugby have also been approved for Under 7-13s and Under 14-18s. The move to Stage E will allow the recommencing of Tag Rugby for U7s and U8s.

Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed schools/colleges can return to playing sport in line with approved National Governing Body action plans. 

Oakmeadians RFC Procedure for Training during COVID-19.

Community rugby set to return (englandrugby.com)Please be aware that the RFU have made a statement regarding accountability and responsibility to adhere to their regulations and roadmap.

  • A risk assessment must be completed and sent to Jane Hart (Chairman) before any activities take place. The risk assessment will need updating as lockdown regulations change and shows that you acknowledge the risks being taken and measures put in place to minimise them.
  • Risk assessments must now include use of all equipment - 02/12/2020.
  • Risk assessments must now include, full squad training, the 15-a-side game, ready-4-rugby, touch games and training. 02/12/2020https://www.englandrugby.com/participation/playing/game-on/ready-4-rugby
  • Limited face to face contact - see guidance 02/12/2020
  • RFU and Oakmeadians RFC safeguarding procedure must be followed.
  • Covid-19 return to play forms must be completed.
  • Section managers must make sure Track & Trace forms are completed by all supporters who are pitch side or use QR code provided. 02/12/2020
  • Section managers must make sure all supporters social distance and stay 2 metres apart. 02/12/2020
  • A register must be kept of all training and sent to Jane Hart.
  • All age grades must adhere to RFU Regulation 15 at all times.
  • There will be a sanitizing station at the front of the clubhouse to be used at beginning and end of sessions, and all sections to use sanitizer for breaks issued by Oakmeadians RFC.
  • Kit and equipment can now be used but sections must be mindful of cleaning equipment.
  • See guidance for how equipment is to be used and how often equipment must be cleaned.
  • Disinfectant buckets will be available for use around the pitches.
  • Tags and bibs can now be worn.
  • The clubhouse will be open on Sundays for take away food only. The bar will remain closed for the time being.
  • Two sets of toilets will be open in the changing rooms for Sunday training.
  • The referee room only will be open for toilet facilities for evening training.
  • Changing rooms will not be open for changing or showering.
  • All players must bring their own water bottles and hand sanitizer and come ready to train.
  • Contact sessions should be no longer than 20 minutes and have a sanitizer break after 10 minutes.
  • First aid can now be offered from qualified volunteers during contact sessions only. Gloves and masks should be worn when in close contact.
  • All age groups need to register time and day of training with Jane Hart, harthouse43@hotmail.co.uk for U7-U12s and Dave Corbin, davencorbin@gmail.com  for youth and girls, so as not to double book an area. Once the areas are booked, we would ask you not to move to another area.
  • Please wash your hands as soon as you get home. Use sanitizer regularly during training sessions.
  • Do not train if you are showing any coronavirus symptoms. Dry cough, Temperature, Change in taste or smell.
  • Please inform the club (Jane Hart, harthouse43@hotmail.co.uk) if anyone that has been training is isolating due to Coronavirus symptoms.
  • For more information go to:- 
               Community rugby set to return (englandrugby.com)

                       https://www.englandrugby.com/participation/playing/game-on/ready-4-rugby

If you have any questions or need more information from Oakmeadians RFC please contact,

Neil Bibby, DOR mb: 07725 593646              Jane Hart, Chairman mb: 07715 531143   chairman@oakmeadians-rfc.com

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