Rugby Canada and Provincial Member Unions ‘Return to Play’ Update
All Unions and stakeholders, including the ‘Return to Play’ working group, continue to work diligently on ensuring a safe return to the pitch as soon as possible.
June 9, 2020 – Rugby Canada and all Provincial Member Unions would like to confirm that organized rugby activities remain under a national suspension. All Unions and stakeholders, including the ‘Return to Play’ working group, continue to work diligently on ensuring a safe return to the pitch as soon as possible.
To further this process, a membership survey was distributed on Friday, with results being incorporated into the Return to Play planning. Later this week, preliminary actions Clubs can take to be ready to return to activity will be released ahead of the full Return to Play document.
Rugby Canada CEO Allen Vansen stated, “We recognize that players, coaches, referees and volunteers in some regions of our rugby community are eager to start their planning and get ready for the return of rugby. Rugby Canada and the Provincial Unions share this anticipation with our membership, however we must continue our diligence to ensure a safe and managed return to rugby for all participants. Until that time, we urge all rugby enthusiasts to stay active within the guidelines of your Provincial Health Authority.”
As released last week, once the phased Return to Play plan has been approved by the Rugby Canada Board of Directors, the national suspension on sanctioned rugby activities will be lifted. At this point, in order to return to activity, the steps will be:
- Each Provincial Union, when safe and permitted to do so, aligns their Provinces’ stage of eased restrictions with the appropriate phase of the Return to Play plan
- Provincial Unions gain approval for activity from the appropriate authorities in their Province
- Member Clubs formally apply for approval and sanctioning of activities with their Provincial Rugby Union
- Final approval of applications provided by Provincial Union and access to member registration platform provided by Rugby Canada
Until such time that final Provincial approval is given and members have registered, Clubs are reminded to refrain from in-person team training sessions and training/education courses.