Return of community rugby activities for Newport, Merthyr, Bridgend and Blaenau Gwent
Liz Jones Published 4:06 pm 7th Oct 2020 POST
Clubs and female hubs in Newport, Merthyr and Bridgend can resume rugby activities following a temporary suspension
The temporary suspension of community rugby in Newport, Merthyr, Bridgend and Blaenau Gwent has been lifted with immediate effect after reviewing of the situation in conjunction with the clubs within the respective Local Authorities and more than two weeks after a local lockdown was imposed.
Along with clubs in Caerphilly County Borough and RCT, where the temporary rugby suspensions have already been lifted, teams of all ages in these three areas may now return to training within the current return to rugby guidelines, if they feel they can provide a safe environment for players, coaches and volunteers.
It is important to stress that Welsh Government local restrictions still in force in the Boroughs prevent players, parents and coaches from entering or leaving them in order to attend training sessions.
WRU Operations Director Julie Paterson said:
“We have taken a number of factors into account when reviewing this situation in these areas including Public Health Wales information, our own data and local intelligence around rugby clubs having consulted Club Operations Managers and volunteers from all of the rugby clubs in these areas.”
WRU Community Director Geraint John added, “We are very grateful to the volunteers, players and parents for adhering to the protocols we have put in place in order to create safe environments for community rugby and we ask all concerned to remain vigilant as they return to the current stage in our Return to Community Rugby plan. The clubs in these areas feel they are in a good place to make a call as to whether to return to regular training at this time following a temporary suspension and in managing day to day activities at their club within the current guidelines.”
Online meetings are scheduled with clubs in the other areas where local restrictions are currently in force to review their situation.