'It's not pre-season' - community clubs urged to take their time over return to training

Community rugby league clubs have been given the all-clear to resume training, but are being warned it will be some time before matches can begin.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The green light was given on June 1 for groups of up to six people to meet outdoors and the Rugby Football League (RFL) approved “small group activity” from yesterday.

Contact is not allowed, but conditioning or fitness sessions can take place provided they are in wholly separate groups of no more than six, with individuals remaining two metres apart at all times.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Groups can practice ball skills - including passing and kicking - but the RFL’s advice is for sharing of equipment to be kept to a minimum and “strong hand hygiene practices” to be in place before and after sessions.

Johnny Dawson hits the ball up for Hunslet Warriors.Johnny Dawson hits the ball up for Hunslet Warriors.
Johnny Dawson hits the ball up for Hunslet Warriors.

The RFL have stressed clubs should only resume training if they can meet government guidelines and say they are “under no pressure to return”.

The Yorkshire Junior Youth Rugby League (YJYARL) has been praised for its reaction to the possible resumption of training following Covid-19. In a message to member clubs, the YJYARL urged: “Please take the time to prepare and make sure you are ready. There is no rush - it is not pre-season, there is no date for any games to resume.”

An RFL spokesman hailed the league for “responding in exactly the right way to the guidelines”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Community, youth and junior rugby league was suspended on March 16, along with the professional competitions. The flagship National Conference League’s 2020 season has been scrapped and will be replaced by regionalised competitions once matches resume.

Featherstone Lions players celebrate promotion to the National Conference Premier Division.Featherstone Lions players celebrate promotion to the National Conference Premier Division.
Featherstone Lions players celebrate promotion to the National Conference Premier Division.

A statement from the RFL warned: “While the possibility of small group activity is a positive step, such activity should not be viewed as the start of pre-season.

“No dates are planned for a return to full contact rugby league. While it is not possible to put a date on a return to full contact, it is not considered imminent and will be dependent on social distancing rules being relaxed further.”

It added: “The individual needs of coaches, players and parents should be considered. Nobody should feel pressured into returning.”