Return to Play Update
I am sure you will be aware of the latest announcements from Government around the restrictions that will be in place as we move back into the Government Tiers.

Whilst discussions are still ongoing at Government level around permissible activity, particularly in Tier 3 areas, the expectation is we will be able to continue to deliver activity in line with our Action Plan (which will need updating ahead of the January return) and new regulations which will be published.

In terms of the return to play plan, which must still be delivered in accordance with our Action Plan, the outline is as follows: -

December 2020 – No training as previously advised
January 2021 – Return to training for all age groups including open age.
February / March 2021 – Pre-season friendlies delivered in a similar fashion to the Autumn Activity. All age groups, including open age.
10th/11th April 2021 – Return of Competitions.

Clearly the country is in for a challenging winter and it is likely to be the spring before the wider public health situation improves significantly. That was reflected in our Action Plan with the decision not to play through the entire winter period which has also been a factor in allowing rugby league to continue in accordance with its Plan.

It is important that we can get competitions up and running as soon as it is realistic to do so. The period of Autumn Activity proved how difficult it would be to deliver competitions in areas where the numbers of infections are high with 20% of fixtures needing rearranging at short notice. By ensuring activity is delivered in the same way as it was during the autumn period the chances of any outbreaks which could jeopardize the return of formal competitions will be reduced.

All the protocols that underpinned the Autumn Activity will remain in place during the pre-season phase of the return which again will be based on the ‘turn up play go home’ principle and fortnightly fixtures. By delivering activity in this way during this period we will maximise the chances of competitions resuming early April as intended. At this point we would hope to be able to reintroduce changing rooms.

One of the outcomes of the numerous meetings and discussions that have taken place between Government and all sports was a requirement that sports consider whether additional mitigation measures could be put in place to mitigate the amount of contact in training. Clearly this is challenging for a sport like rugby league where we must ensure players are properly conditioned before playing games. We already have protocols in place which limit the amount of contact activity taking place, but we are reviewing these to see if any further mitigations can be put in place which will ensure a return.

As a condition of return for all sports, the Government expects each NGB to be able to evidence they are monitoring non-compliance and appropriate enforcement action taken where breaches occur. Most clubs have worked incredibly hard to ensure all the necessary protocols are in place but there will be consequences in rugby league as in all sports for those that do not meet the required standards.

Whilst it may be a slightly later start than usual competitions will be back in 2021 so please do encourage all your teams to register with competitions and players register in the normal way.

Funding Webinars
Thank you to those Clubs that attended the two funding webinars this week. We do hope you found these useful.

Attached are copies of the presentation for you to review.

If anyone has any questions please contact John McMullen john.mcmullen@rfl.uk.com

Mental Fitness Workshops - Reminder
‘Offload Online Live!’ fixtures take place every Thursday evening at 6.45pm. To join, please use this Zoom meeting link: https://bit.ly/3oYA4Wj

Community Game Communications Survey Reminder
If you have not already done so can I please ask that you complete the survey HERE. This will help us shape our communications plan going forward.

New Girls Age Groups
A recent, comprehensive, review of the girls’ competition structures, found among other things, an appetite from volunteers for new playing opportunities at U11’s and U18’s as we look to build upon the impressive growth seen across the female game in recent years.

As such The RFL are inviting expressions of interest from any clubs who may wish to run girls’ teams at these new age groups.

Separate communications will be going out around this, however if you would like to express an interest in either of the new age groups or would like further details then please email competitions@rfl.uk.com by Monday 7th December.