Eastern Counties Rugby Union

UPDATE: 16 MARCH, 1830

BREAKING NEWS - this just published at RFU Website

The RFU have just issued the following statement:

Following government advice, the RFU will suspend all rugby activity in England, at both professional and community level.[i]

Rugby activity includes club training, league and cup matches plus rugby education courses from 17 March until 14 April subject to continued review.

The decision has been taken following government advice in the interests of players, coaches, referees, volunteers, supporters and the wider rugby union community.

Where possible, players at all levels are encouraged to maintain their own personal fitness and keep active during this time, while following government guidelines about safe distance and safe exercise environments.

The RFU will continue to review and monitor government advice and will provide detailed updates on the impact to the season in the coming weeks.
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FURTHER UPDATE - MONDAY 16 MARCH - 1545

Eastern Counties Rugby Union are following the developing situation carefully and encourage all clubs and individuals in the game to do the same.

The RFU’s latest guidance can be found on their website here - this includes provision that the impact of Coronavirus will be regarded as an acceptable reason for the postponement of a club fixture.

Any specific information about Eastern Counties organised events will be posted on the ECRU website: so far this has included the cancellation of the under 13s festivals that were scheduled for Sunday 15 March; the cancellation of the Eastern Counties girls squad training at Diss that was scheduled for 16 March; the cancellation of the scheduled Cambridgeshire Committee meeting on 18 March and the withdrawal of EC Girls squads from the scheduled event at Chesterfield RFC on 22 March.

Eastern Counties Rugby Union will continue to update the advice it provides to the rugby community regularly in line with the changing national and global picture, and in line with such advice as the RFU decide to provide to the game.

UPDATED ADVICE - ISSUED ON SATURDAY 14 MARCH AT 1215

While there has been no update to the guidance from the Government or from the RFU, Eastern Counties have reluctantly taken the decision to cancel the under 13 festivals that were due to take place on Sunday 15 March. It has become clear that there was significant anxiety among the rugby community about the gathering of large numbers of players, coaches and spectators in venues across the region and that it was not appropriate for those events to continue.

There are a number of club youth fixtures and county cup finals scheduled for Sunday 15 March and these can continue provided both clubs are happy that they should proceed. Should either club wish to postpone the match then they may do so without penalty.

Clubs with mini rugby festival scheduled will advise participants about any changes to their plans directly.

At this stage it is not possible to advise when or whether any postponed events or matches might take place.

Clubs are advised to take all sensible necessary precautions to maintain hygiene for their members and visitors and make such changes to their normal practice as might be necessary.

Eastern Counties understands that clubs, players and parents are being asked to make decisions in times of great uncertainty and will support all clubs and individuals in whatever decision they make within the bounds of the guidance available. All individuals should feel able to take their own decisions based on their personal circumstances.

This advice will be updated as and when further information becomes available.

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PREVIOUS ADVICE BELOW ...

Eastern Counties Rugby Union is following the advice issued by Her Majesty’s Government regarding precautions that need to be taken regarding the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. The same is true for the Rugby Football Union.

As things stand (11am on Friday 13 March) the advice is that planned activities can continue and there is no need for events to be cancelled. If individual clubs are in specific difficulties, they should follow the published advice and inform the organisers of any events of the position.

Eastern Counties will update this advice as and when the Government’s advice is updated or when specific information is provided by the Rugby Football Union.

The latest advice from the RFU can be found here: https://www.englandrugby.com/news/article/important-update-for-clubs--coronavirus-covid-19.

The latest government advice can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response