26/3/2020

In this update, I wanted to fill you in on what the Board and our Operational Team have been looking at for options about returning to play.  The options we go with depends on how COVID-19 plays out and what guidance we get from both Rugby Australia and NSW Rugby.  I think we can all agree it seems very unlikely the current guidance from RA about returning in May will continue.  We are expecting to get an update from RA later next week about a revised return to play date and also return to play protocols for training.  As soon as we hear more about that we will pass it on to you.

In the meantime, our Operational Team have been busy working on a variety of different scenarios and planning what we can do to present a meaningful opportunity for kids to play rugby.  There’s no point in going through all those scenarios with you until we know more about when we can get back on the field, but they include a range of different options for when we could return and what can be done in the available time.  It’s important to understand that we are contemplating scenarios where our regular Sunday, Friday and Girls competitions must be materially amended. In any event, we are focusing on offering sensible and enjoyable options for kids to play rugby, which may include less emphasis on competitions and more on participation and enjoyment.  Once we know more about commencement dates, I am confident that our revised plans are ready go.

Sadly the Board has decided that it is not possible to run the Inter-District Minis Gala Day in its current form on June 20th.  We thank all those clubs who had expressed interest in being a host venue and will look to what alternative options we can provide to our Minis.  Lisa Rothwell, our new Minis Director, will be in touch shortly with the District Minis Coordinators to discuss future arrangements for Minis. 

You would also no doubt have seen that NSWJRU has canceled the State Championships on the June long weekend, another sad outcome from this year’s upheaval.

Right now there are a lot more serious issues in the world than focusing too much on junior rugby.  However, like you, when we come through this, we want to ensure that there are opportunities for the kids of Sydney to run on the field with their friends and be a part of something great.  We appreciate your ongoing support during these tricky times and will be in touch as soon as we can provide further updates.

21/3/2020 Weekly Update Link :

A weekly Community Rugby Update will be published each Friday morning to ensure that everyone is up to date on the latest Rugby related information.  The link to the update attached is as follows:

https://australia.rugby/news/2020/03/20/information-regarding-coronavirus-for-community-and-club-rugby

Update 16/03/2020
Please find set out below Media release from RugbyAu (also found in Resource Library) regarding the unanimous agreement of the National Development Panel, Rugby Australia along with the State and Territory Member Unions to postpone all Community Rugby until the first week of May, effective immediately.  

This means all Rugby activities including training, trial matches, Sizzling 7’s, and SJRU Competition matches are canceled until at least the first week of May.

Weekly reviews of the situation will be conducted and any changes to timing and plans will be communicated directly to Clubs.  Also, the SJRU will provide further information on returning to training ahead of the commencement of SJRU competitions.


STATEMENT REGARDING COMMUNITY     RUGBY

MARCH 16, 2020

Today, following a meeting of the National Development Panel, Rugby Australia along with the State and Territory     Member Unions have unanimously agreed to postpone all Community Rugby until the first week of May, effective immediately.
This recommendation covers Rugby matches, Rugby training, and face-to-face Rugby education courses.  Although this decision has not been made lightly, it has been made with the interests of the participants, families and the broader community as the priority.  
In arriving at this decision, Rugby Australia and the Member Unions have considered public health information and the advice of the Rugby Australia Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Warren McDonald.     The group acknowledges that this decision is a more conservative approach then has currently been recommended by the Australian, State and Territory     Governments. However, it has been made to provide clarity to the Rugby community in a challenging and disruptive time.  
Rugby Australia and the Member Unions are fully committed to supporting the game through this difficult time and the decision will allow for six weeks of planning to deliver a modified season which will commence, at this stage, at the beginning of May.  The modified season will vary at a local level to best support the needs of our local Rugby communities.  
It is acknowledged that there are a variety of     Rugby competitions underway and Rugby Australia will work closely with     Member Unions to minimize this disruption.  
It is not the intention of this decision to interfere with the non-rugby related activities of our Rugby clubs, such as the operation of licensed facilities. Government advice should continue to be followed in this regard. Rugby Australia and Member Unions will also work to increase the opportunity for people to engage in online education to ensure our critical workforces are ready for the recommencement of     Community Rugby.  
The National Development Panel will meet weekly for the foreseeable future and will review this position and communicate any updates regularly.  
ENDS
Michael Eastman          General Manager, Corporate Affairs           Rugby Australia

M +61 438 350 580  E michael.earsman@rugby.com.au

Coronavirus update is in relation to planning and policy.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness caused by a new virus, symptoms can range from mild illness to pneumonia, and people may experience fever, flu-like symptoms or shortness of breath.
In Australia, the people most at risk of getting the virus are those who have recently been in higher exposure countries such as mainland China, Iran, Korea, and Italy or have been in close contact with someone who is a confirmed case of COVID-19.  
The WHO has upgraded the virus to Pandemic status yesterday morning, however, we await any formal updates from Australian medical authorities on any changes to their recommended measures.


RugbyAu has established a working group to monitor the evolving situation and attached is their initial publication.  The RugbyAu group is meeting a minimum of twice weekly and will update their advice on the RugbyAu web-site as necessary after each of their meetings.  


The SJRU Board is separately monitoring the situation and establishing back-up plans for how we will respond, should the situation regarding COVID 19 worsen.  Currently, we are following the key steps in the update including:
· Participants (ie players and volunteers) and their Clubs should follow the advice and restrictions of the Department of Health relating to travel or contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases;
· Any participant who is subject to travel restrictions or has been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case should not attend training/matches or any other club activities for 14 days following travel or contact;
· Clubs should take special account of any school closures and resultant isolations of students who may be Rugby participants;
· All Clubs and Participants should practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of infection;
· Participants who are suffering flu-like symptoms or feeling unwell (regardless of where they have recently travelled), should not be training or playing and should seek medical advice.


It is important to stress that there is currently no advice that recommends that we stop attending and participating in sporting matches.  We should all stay up to date with the latest Department of Health advice


The SJRU is continuing with our planning and execution for Season 2020, with  Round 1 Gala Day scheduled for a variety of venues around Sydney on Sunday 29th March.


Follow the safe practices above and our games will continue to go ahead, until such time as further advice indicates that we need to make changes.  The SJRU will adjust our plans and operations to re-schedule Rounds, adjust the structure of competitions and/or take other available practical steps in response to upgraded measures that may come via the Department of Health and other relevant authorities.