This week’s headlines include:
1. Suspension of all rugby activity
2. Online rugby training sessions available
3. RFU Cluster Fixtures Cancelled
4. Warrior Camps postponed
5. Training courses postponed

While this is not the way we hoped to start 2021, we all need to stick together and play our part by making sure we adhere to Government guidance over the next few weeks. This will help to protect our communities and to enable the vaccine to be as effective as possible, so we can all begin to return to a more normal way of life, including rugby, in the coming months.

We would like to thank you all once again for your commitment and resilience in the face of adversity. We appreciate the support you have provided for your rugby communities and thank you for your understanding during the toughest of times, for the sport and society as a whole.

RFU Headlines
National Lockdown announcement - Monday 4 January
Following Government’s national lockdown announcement to counter the steep rise in Covid-19 infections, all community rugby activity in England is suspended until further notice.

In line with current Government policy, all adult and age grade rugby training and fixtures must stop. This means we return to Stage A on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap for all players. Outdoor organised sport for disabled people is allowed to continue.

Community rugby includes all levels below the Greene King IPA Championship (scheduled to restart in March) and the Allianz Premier 15s and Gallagher Premiership, which follow elite sport return protocols.

There is an exemption in place that allows elite sportspeople (and their
coaches if necessary, or parents/guardians if they are under 18) - or those on an official elite sports pathway such as players who are part of RFU / PRL Academies and England age grade squads - to compete and train.

We are looking to further our support for Clubs and CBs through lockdown and will be providing guidance and resources to cover a number of topics such as:
• Facilities maintenance/mothballing during lockdown
• Pitch maintenance
• Club governance
• Insurance cover
• Keeping your players active and connected
• Volunteer engagement
• Accessing funding support
• Revenue generation
We will let CBs and Clubs know when this is complete, but please keep
checking our Coronavirus advice & support page for updates or email
ClubSupport@RFU.com if you have any queries in the meantime.
More Information Lockdown Restrictions

Online training sessions available for Age Grade players (and adults if wished!)
A reminder of online training sessions run by England Rugby for age grade players during November’s lockdown can be found below.

These sessions can also help young players to stay active at home during these latest restrictions.

‘Get Your Shirt On’ is a series of workout sessions led by former England players and aimed at the 6-18 age grades. Ugo Monye, Danielle Waterman and Danny Care have taken it in turn to put viewers through their paces.

With community rugby currently at Stage A on the Return to Rugby Roadmap, it’s important for players to continue to stay active, even if it’s from home.
Week One | Ugo Monye
Session 1 - (U10s and below)
Session 2 – (U11s to U14s)
Session 3 – (U15s and above)
Week Two | Nolli Waterman
Session 1 - (U10s and below)
Session 2 – (U11s to U14s)
Session 3 – (U15s and above)
Week Three | Danny Care
Session 1 - (U10s and below)
Session 2 – (U11s to U14s)
Session 3 – (U15s and above)

RFU Cluster Fixtures Cancellation
Due to the additional restrictions announced yesterday to combat the spread of Covid-19, the RFU has regretfully decided to cancel both the adult male & female Cluster Fixtures (for teams that play in RFU Leagues).

The focus will now switch to the following;
• Facilitating fixtures through local organising committees as and when
conditions allow a return to playing rugby, which could extend into the
summer months.
• Ensuring any extension does not encroach on the 2021/22 season start
date.

Any further announcements will be made following the next Government review. In the meantime, your local organising committee will be in touch with specific information for your region.

Warrior Camps Postponement
We’ve had a brilliant response to the Allianz Inner Warrior campaign, with over 150 camps registered.

However, unfortunately, in light of the latest guidance, clubs will need to postpone all events. The intention is for Warrior Camps to return when it is safe to do so, with future phases planned for later in the year.
Warrior Camp organisers will be contacted directly in regard to postponing their event.

Please contact innerwarrior@rfu.com if you would like any further guidance or information.

Training Courses
Unfortunately, due to the updated lockdown announcement yesterday we have had to postpone all face-to-face training courses planned for the lockdown period. This affects the following courses:
• Kids First Tag Rugby
• Kids First Contact Rugby
• Emergency First Aid in Rugby Union

Everyone who has booked onto a course will be contacted directly to inform them that the course has been postponed.