This week, the PIAA announced that fall high school sports would be permitted to commence given strict adherence to the guidelines of the Governor’s Office and the school-adopted plans to address the COVID-19 pandemic. On July 30th, 2020 the Rugby PA Board of Directors met to discuss the future of fall rugby in the current climate and provide updates to our members. It is important to remember that any and/or all of the below information is subject to change, should circumstances require to keep our members safe.

The Board has approved a move to Stage 4 of the USA Rugby Return to Play Guidelines on Monday, August 17th. This is the same date that the PIAA has outlined for school teams to return to practice for fall sports. This stage allows for teams to participate in training sessions with certain stipulations. Teams would now be allowed to use communal equipment such as rugby balls but must practice rigorous cleaning of equipment before and after sessions. Teams will also be permitted to have inter-squad scrimmages with limited contact, with touch rugby being the recommended activity. Players are encouraged to wear masks when possible, and coaches are required to practice social distancing protocols. No competitions with other teams will be permitted, including scrimmages or tournaments. Spectators also won’t be permitted at any events until further notice. 

In order to participate in the Stage 4 activities, teams must complete an emergency action plan. This plan includes taking and recording temperature checks at all training sessions, with players and coaches registering lower than 99.6 F. The plan must also include steps on how the club plans to act, should a player or coach test positive for COVID-19 or come in contact with someone who has. This action plan must be filed with Rugby PA, for recordkeeping purposes only, prior to commencing any Stage 4 activities.  Rugby PA may post the action plan to its website.  Please be advised that Rugby PA cannot and will not review any action plan for accuracy, completeness, or compliance with applicable law.  The plans are simply being maintained by Rugby PA to facilitate the sharing of information and best practices among Rugby PA’s participating clubs and teams.

Looking forward to the Fall Sevens season, the Board has decided that it will move forward with planning a State Championship on Sunday, November 1st. Location and structure over the event is still TBD. The Board will continue to monitor the situation throughout the fall to determine if and when we are able to move to Stage 5 of the USAR Guidelines. This stage allows for regular inter-state competitions. The hope is that there will be some time before the state championship where teams will be permitted to participate in small organized competitions. 

USA Rugby Return to Play Guidelines

Resources

USA Rugby - Return to Play Guidelines

https://assets.usarugby.org/docs/medical/USAR-R2P.pdf?v=1596201959068

PIAA - Return to Competition Guidelines

http://www.piaa.org/assets/web/documents/Return_to_Competition.pdf

CDC - Considerations for Youth Sports

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/youth-sports.html

CDC - Toolkit for Youth Sports

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/toolkits/youth-sports.html

Department of Education - Preliminary School Sport Guidance (Action Plan Template)

https://www.education.pa.gov/Schools/safeschools/emergencyplanning/COVID-19/SchoolSportsGuidance/Pages/default.aspx