WRU – Community Rugby update

The Welsh Rugby Union has clarified how the latest Welsh Government [COVID] guidelines, in force from Monday 22 June affect Welsh community rugby.

While team and contact sports are not yet permitted to resume training, the Welsh Rugby Union has issued some practical advice to clubs to help get pitches ready to welcome players when appropriate in line with government guidance.

The guidelines around training practices is unchanged in terms of people from one or two households (see above graphic to illustrate this). The only change to the Union’s advice to clubs is that, providing clubs can guarantee safe working practices, they are now encouraged to start maintaining their pitches following three months of inactivity.

The WRU has issued a Pitch Preparation Guidance document (CLICK HERE). The document, drawn up with the Grounds Management Association, covers everything from the recommended length of grass for out of use periods, to aeration, irrigation, local repairs and control of thatch.

WRU Community Director Geraint John said, “While we are all missing rugby activity, we must be part of the solution to controlling Covid-19 in Wales and not become a cause for increasing the infection rate. We are working very closely with the Welsh Government on all areas of the game, from community to elite and commercial activities.

“Our advice at the moment is to stay active within the Welsh Government guidelines which means train individually, with members of your household, or, in line with government advice – stay local and with members of one other household.

“However, following Friday’s government update, we have now entered an important preparation stage and we advise clubs to take on board this pitch preparation advice which is the first step before we can resume any rugby activity on club pitches. We are grateful that so many of our clubs have appointed a Club Operations Manager and we will continue to liaise directly with them as we begin to Return to Rugby.”