BC Rugby Responds to June 14 PHO Update

BC Rugby Responds to June 14 PHO Update

Following the official statement released on the BC Government website on Monday, we are excited to hear the province is set to move into Step 2 of its Restart Plan on June 15. We are encouraged by what Premier John Horgan and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said during Monday’s announcement and are awaiting publication of the updated PHO. Until the publication of the updated PHO, we will remain in Phase 3 of the Return to Rugby Plan (known as Rugby Restarted), which coincides with the Return to Play Guidelines from viaSport and Rugby Canada. All Clubs must have COVID-19 Safety Plans sanctioned by BC Rugby.   Reminder of What Can Be Delivered in Phase 3 Rugby Restarted Outdoor Rugby activities only Non-contact Rugby activities only Travel to Home Club only No use of changerooms, washrooms only No physical distancing required during intra-Club training and games No spectators...
BC Rugby Suspends All Sanctioned In-Person Rugby Activities in Response to Public Health Order

BC Rugby Suspends All Sanctioned In-Person Rugby Activities in Response to Public Health Order

From BCRU’s website: December 3, 2020 (Vancouver, BC) – BC Rugby has announced that all sanctioned in-person rugby activities are suspended in response to the published Public Health Order which suspends all indoor and outdoor sports for people 19 years of age and older and reverts all indoor and outdoor sports for minors to viaSport’s Return to Sport Phase 2 guidelines. With just three weeks until Christmas Eve, many Clubs were in their final few weeks of programming and the slide back to Phase 2 for minors would mean Clubs would have to reduce the number of players that could attend programming as well as adapt to the Order which has expanded the physical distancing required from two metres to three metres. “Rugby has worked extremely hard to design and implement robust COVID Safety Plans as well as adopting non-contact variations of our sport to reduce the risk rugby poses to the community,” said BC Rugby CEO, Annabel Kehoe. “This suspension continues our cautious approach, as well as supports all those volunteers that have done a remarkable job to keep our sport in compliance with these rapidly changing Orders, and give rugby families confidence of having a safe, yet small, holiday celebration given the extraordinarily difficult year we’ve all endured.” While BC Rugby has reported several rugby participants receiving positive test results for COVID-19 covering three of the five Health Authorities, there has been no indication that the individuals contracted the virus within rugby activities, or any community transmission has occurred. Allen Vansen, CEO of Rugby Canada said, “Rugby Canada supports the difficult decision by BC Rugby to suspend sanctioned rugby activities in response...
Fall 2020 Touch Rugby Rules

Fall 2020 Touch Rugby Rules

The Comox Valley Kickers Rugby Club is currently in the process of being sanctioned for Rugby Restart. This would mean holding in-person rugby activities that are done in a safe and responsible manner. Once sanctioned, the Fall 2020 season will be an interclub Touch Rugby League. BASIC RULES OF TOUCH• Game duration: Two 20-minute halves with a 5-minute half time. • Play starts and restarts at the centre with a “tap”. This is performed by moving the ball on the ground with the foot, free from the hands, and then picking it up. Penalties are performed using the same procedure. On both a re-start and penalty the defending team must retreat at least 10 metres • Six players are allowed on the field at any one time, with up to eight substitutes off the field. Reserves can be continuously substituted at any time from one side of the field • A touchdown is scored by grounding the ball on, or behind, the try-line. One point is awarded for a touchdown • A touch is legitimate and minimal contact between a player in possession and a defending player. A touch includes contact on the ball, hair or clothing and may be made by a defending player or by the player in possession. The referee is the sole judge of the touch and has the discretion to overrule a claim (so play to the whistle!). An attacking player may affect the touch by deliberately touching the opposition • When touched, the player in possession must place the ball on the ground at the exact point of the touch. Play is re-started...
Suspension of Sanctioned Rugby Activities Continues Indefinitely

Suspension of Sanctioned Rugby Activities Continues Indefinitely

“With the continued uncertainty of this global pandemic, Rugby Canada will continue its suspension of all sanctioned rugby activities. We continue to support the directives of our National and Provincial health authorities in doing all we can to halt the spread of the COVID-19 virus.” Allen Vansen CEO, Rugby Canada The following is an updated statement from Rugby Canada, regarding the continued impact of COVID-19 on rugby programming across our country: As we all continue to navigate this unprecedented situation, Rugby Canada remains first and foremost committed to the health and safety of our members, supporters, players, coaches, officials and staff. In keeping with this commitment, and in conjunction with our Provincial member Unions and Board of Directors, Rugby Canada has made the decision to extend the suspension of all sanctioned national rugby activities indefinitely. These activities include all in-person registered participant team training sessions, all in-person match official and coach training/education courses and all inter-provincial, club, domestic and international matches and tours. National Senior Teams & players may conduct some training preparation under the approval and supervision of Rugby Canada’s Chief Medical Officer, subject to the ongoing guidance of the Sport Medicine Advisory Committee and National and Provincial health agencies. At this time, the Rugby Canada Victoria office, Al Charron Training Centre and Vancouver office remain closed with staff working from home. Due to the constant evolution of the pandemic, the suspension of activities will be re-evaluated by Rugby Canada management as required over the coming weeks. Further communication to our membership will be made no later than June 30, 2020 based on updated advisements from relevant health...
Impact of COVID-19 on the Rugby Season

Impact of COVID-19 on the Rugby Season

The following is a statement from Rugby Canada, regarding the impact of COVID 19 on rugby programming across our country: Langford, BC — As we all navigate this unprecedented situation, we remain first and foremost committed to the health and safety of our members, supporters, players, coaches, officials and staff. In keeping with this commitment, and in conjunction with our Provincial member Unions, Rugby Canada has made the decision to suspend all sanctioned rugby activities nationally effective March 14 until at least April 10.  These activities include all inter-Provincial and Club competitions and training sessions, international and domestic tours, and all training & education courses for officials & coaches. National Senior Teams & players may conduct some training preparation under the approval and supervision of Rugby Canada’s Chief Medical Officer, following the advice and guidance of the Sport Medicine Advisory Committee and National and Provincial health agencies. The suspension of activities will be reevaluated prior to April 10, and further communication to our membership will be made based on updated advisements from health authorities. In conjunction with World Rugby, we continue to monitor the evolving situation around the globe, and will provide updates on international events and tours as decisions are made based on the best available information. Rugby Canada CEO Allen Vansen stated, “The rugby community in Canada is brought together through the love of the game, which is founded on the principles of integrity, solidarity, and respect.  As we navigate our way through this evolving situation, we thank the entire Canadian rugby community for their patience and understanding.  We recognize the investment and commitment of our members,...