Return to Rugby after Lockdown

As we now have a road map form both the Government and from the RFU regarding proposed how we can get back to some form of active rugby, it is time to give you a brief update on how the ONs are to approach this opportunity.

Most of you will be aware of the initial release of the current lock down restrictions as being on the 29th March, when all players can train and play non-contact games through Ready4Rugby and Tag guidelines as specified in the Stage D document (link). This has a number of restrictions in how players interact and equipment is sanitized which most players and coaches will be aware of, having previously trained under these rules towards the end of last year. The club’s policy on how this will be monitored for compliance will be re-addressed with coaches and the Executive members responsible and it is hoped that all involved will try their hardest to ensure that safety is not compromised and we can continue out of lock down without further delays.

The temptation will be to ‘hit the ground running’ from the 29th. I would stress however that we all need to realise we only have so much space at Billing Road and arrangements will need to be made to ensure all get a fair allocation. During March and April, the space available for training and other associated activities will be reduced further by sections of the 1st Team pitch receiving treatment to remediate some of the hollows and depressions which have been caused over the years. We have received funding over the last few seasons from the EMRU to provide pitch and grounds maintenance. We have not been able to undertake this work until now due to the rapid turn round between winter and summer sport which have prevented soiling and seeding of the worst affected areas. Ideally this work would have been arranged during the full lockdown. Unfortunately, grass doesn’t germinate in the winter. The areas of the 1st Team pitch that are treated will be roped off and I would ask all coaches to ensure that their players do not encroach on the affected areas so we can benefit from this opportunity to give this pitch some long overdue maintenance.

The next date on the RFU’s road map is the 29th April, where it is proposed that some form of contact game for both adult and age grade rugby can start again. Full details have yet to be finalised regarding the format of these games and will be advised in due course. This return to rugby, although greatly appreciated, unfortunately coincides with the grounds being prepared for the cricket season. The posts will be taken down and cricket outfield prepared during week commencing 26th April. I appreciate that this will not be great news for many but, as part of an Association, we need to be aware of the needs of our fellow sections. For the rugby section the 20/21 season has effectively been written off and it is of no great benefit to anyone to try and play any meaningful rugby beyond what would normally be our end of season. It is my understanding that cricket is likely to follow a fairly normal structured season and therefore we should not seek to hinder enjoyment of another sport at the ONs. There is no reason why sections within the rugby club should not seek to play structured games elsewhere. There are many local clubs who I am sure would welcome a chance to play an ONs side at their grounds but this is can be arranged as individual team coaches see fit. A word of caution, for those looking at returning to a full contact game, that match fitness will be seriously lacking and the chance of injury relatively high in games of this type. One factor of not playing last season is that bodies have had a long recovery period from the stresses of playing rugby and it would be a shame to compromise this benefit at this stage when we have to assume we will get back to full-on rugby in September.

It is for this reason that the Club Executive as a whole have decided that no formal training will take place at Billing Road in June. This is primarily to return to rugby focussing on the 21/22 season with pre-season training over the summer, commencing in July. By having this break, hopefully all sides can re-boot their rugby mind set to move back in to a ‘normal’ season of playing the sport we all love. Speaking with other clubs in the area, many are looking at doing something similar, with an aim of not having an extended period of rugby activity over the next 14 months or so. Again, I would expect players to undertake their own personal fitness regime during June away from the club, but there will be no formal training sessions taking place at Billing Road.

Regarding the Clubhouse, the Association has been working hard to deal with the effects of lockdown on their finances and have been actively restructuring and seeking income from all available sources to maintain their financial viability. All sections have provided them with financial assistance in recent months and I am confident that, when we can get back to some normality regarding ‘hospitality’, the clubhouse will be in a good place to provide for our social needs.

The clubhouse will obviously be compliant with the Government’s rules for hospitality venues but as yet we have no defined plan on how this will be implemented. The weather for outside opening and the financial viability of re-staffing for minimal usage may be factors dictating how and when we will be able to gain access. I would ask you to look out for bulletins on social media which will inform you when we can get back to some proper socialising. Remember that?

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best. It has been a horrible last 12 months for many reasons but now we hopefully have light at the end of the tunnel and look forward to a proper season starting in September. Although the rugby club has effectively been ‘on hold’ recently we are in a good place financially thanks to our members contributions, the grounds are looking better than they have been for a long time and bodies have been well rested. All positives.

I look forward to seeing you back at Billing Road in the not too distant future and let’s make next season one to remember.

Dave Howland
Chairman ONRFC