| Further to the information included in yesterday’s Community Game update and in response to enquiries from clubs and players, we would like to provide clarification on the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in organised competitions. The government yesterday announced that there is no change in advice regarding sporting events at the moment i.e. they can continue. Given this, league and cup games planned for this weekend will played as usual. However we recognise that competition organisers, players and clubs are seeking advice on specific details, so the RFU’s position is that in the event of situations where: (a) Covid-19 case or cases have been reported or suspected in relation to player and/or individuals connected to a club (or closely connected to a club, player or such other individual connected to a club); and/or (b) such individuals are subject to the Governmental advice to self-isolate; Postponements of fixtures involving the clubs will be permitted as a justifiable reason for postponement, subject to clubs notifying the opposition and the competition organiser of the postponement (in accordance with competition organisers’ instructions). The RFU regulations will continue to apply. We will keep this under continual review and will be assessing the situation over the weekend in line with latest Government advice. If there are any planned changes to the future playing of the league and cup programmes this will be communicated to clubs and participants as soon as possible. If (a) or (b) applies to your team please contact: • Mens teams playing in RFU Leagues (English Club Championship) and Cups – your league secretary or competitions organiser • Mens teams playing in Merit/CB Leagues – your league secretary or competitions organiser • Womens teams playing in RFU Leagues – womenscompetitions@RFU.com • Age Grade – Your league secretary or competitions organiser Teamwork Respect Enjoyment Discipline Sportsmanship |
Covid -19 Virus (Coronavirus)
Letter that has been sent out to all Cornish Club Secretaries this week from the CRFU.
Dear Secretary,
Re: Covid Virus.
The CRFU is very aware of the problems and decisions that clubs at all levels of rugby will have to make regarding Coronavirus (Covid).
We are aware that we should all show due diligence to ensure the welfare of players, coaches and the rugby community at this difficult time. The advice to us all continues to change and as we approach the weekend fixtures club officials may need support with decision making and the more practical operational details.
We will update the CRFU Web as and when matters develop as well as contacting the Clubs where it is felt necessary and may we confirm that CRFU officials are pleased to help in any way and can be contacted as the situation requires.
May we also draw your attention to a specific situation relating to Clubs and its players who have been selected to represent their County and we ask that the following is observed please:
Should someone catch the virus whilst engaged with county sides, CRFU will inform the club. However, this does not cover someone who has been with the County who subsequently developed symptoms nor does it cover a county player who may have been in contact with someone at the club who developed symptoms. As the government regularly state, tracking contacts is essential in dealing with the Covid.
Can we therefore ask all Clubs that they inform us, in total confidence, of any reports of the virus within their club so we can take appropriate actions in respect of representative rugby so as to limit the spread please? Equally, CRFU will, in total confidence, inform the respective club of any Covid related development that may affect club activities as a result of having one of their players engaged in representative rugby.
The contact person is Bob Hubble, Rugby Safe Lead (rugbysafe@crfu.co.uk) who will treat any correspondence as confidential.
Once again can we remind you that the CRFU Officers will be happy to help in any way and you should not hesitate in making contact with one.
Yours,
Dave Saunter, Chair.
John Sumnall, President.
Statement concerning county fixtures for this weekend
Leading up to CRFU representative teams playing at the weekend all precautions and professional advice is being taken to ensure the welfare of our players, coaches and members of the rugby community.
Contact with players, clubs, coaches and where necessary player’s parents has been maintained. Players have been given good advice about hygiene and procedures by our CRFU doctor.
At present, while we remain vigilant and updated on developments, all our fixtures are going ahead.
Please refer to the CRFU website for further updates as and when they are required.
Chris Lea
Chairman of Representative Rugby
Activate exercise program
As part of the RugbySafe support packages the RFU has the Activate exercise programme which is proven to prevent injuries and concussion as illustrated in this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b288WrLJXA&feature=youtu.be Although the video concentrates on junior players the programme is similarly effective on senior players. So, if you are having trouble raising teams due to injuries then instigating this simple programme may make your life easier and save the anxious Thursday evening phone calls trying to find enough fit players. If you are interested, the programme can be delivered by the RFU regional development officers. Please direct any expressions of interest to rugbysafe@crfu.co.uk and we will coordinate some sessions.
Adult Competitions Review Clubs Meeting
Alan Milliner, Cornwall Club Representative on the RFU Council, is to Chair a meeting, re the above, at Bodmin RFC on Monday 23rd March, commencing at 7 pm.
All club secretaries and club reps to the CRFU have been advised of this meeting by CRFU Secretary Terry Williams.
It is hoped to see someone representing each cornish club on the night.
Alan is keen to get a collective club view on the proposals so that he can best represent your views with the RFU.
Latest bulletin from RFU regarding coronavirus.
There have been a number of queries about whether we are putting out any information for clubs on the Coronavirus.
As a Union we will not be giving advice or guidance as the latest information is available via the Government website and is updated daily. It is important that clubs use the government’s guidance to inform their knowledge, available here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public?gclid=CjwKCAiAvonyBRB7EiwAadauqeYJ2mMvVaQkTC9HPUsOyQlxnV0e-1avnXWHM41AduzME9tzdXCk3xoCDlwQAvD_BwE
As tour season is approaching we advise clubs to monitor via the Government website the situation at their overseas proposed tour destination . The link can be found here.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
The following information may also be helpful for clubs.
It is up to individual clubs to decide internally if or how or what they communicate to their members.
Regards
RFU Safeguarding Team
Headcase awareness
The RFU Headcase website https://www.englandrugby.com/participation/playing/headcase has a series of learning modules that are tailored for all levels of involvement from parent through to coach and it is CRFU’s aspiration that all involved within the game in Cornwall, whether player, parent or administrator, find the small amount of time to complete the appropriate module once per season. All club RugbySafe leads and CRFU team managers have been circulated the personal concussion story from a player in Lancashire and indeed a former player with the Cornish Pirates https://www.lancashirerugby.co.uk/images/James_Doherty_A_Headcase_Encounter.pdf as a timely reminder for us to ensure that we treat concussion properly so that all can enjoy a safe return to the game following a head injury. If you wish to know more please contact your club rugbysafe lead or rugbysafe@crfu.co.uk
Stay safe this weekend
The following was sent out in an e-mail today to Club Rugby Safe leads by Bob Hubble, CB Rugby Safe Officer;
With the current spate of poor weather, there has been some discussion in various areas about deciding whether a game should go ahead or not. In short, clubs should have appropriate risk assessments in place and be making use of their Rugby Safe leads in the decision making process so that the coaches have a structured basis on determining the risks and consequences of playing or cancelling. The risk assessment should not just be that of pitch condition, but also include the risks of travel, which is why there cannot be a hard and fast rule as every match is unique. When in doubt or it is a 50/50 decision, then it is only wise for caution to prevail – a seemingly obvious statement, but one that sometimes gets overlooked when faced with the prospect of potentially disappointing players and supporters!!
If you have any concerns then please contact Bob Hubble rugbysafe@crfu.co.uk
Happy Birthday Graham
Everyone connected with Cornwall RFU and the wider Cornish rugby family will wish to join us in wishing former Cornwall captain Graham Bate a very happy 80th Birthday.
We were contacted by Graham’s family, who were looking to put together some of Graham’s rugby memories ahead of the big day, but couldn’t locate his county cap.
Graham, who played for Penryn and Falmouth and was an England trialist, played on 64 occasions for Cornwall, famously captaining the side in the 1969 County Final lost to Lancashire at Redruth.
The CRFU were happy to oblige and furnish the family with brand new cap to mark the occasion.
By all accounts a great day was had by Graham, his family and many rugby friends.
Eden team building event hailed a great success
By Bill Hooper, at the Eden Project
Cornwall RFU held on Sunday it’s pre-championship team building day at new team co-sponsor the Eden Project.
Despite being bruised and battered from their games the previous day, players and their families came along for a specially arranged day that was also family orientated.
We were welcomed by Head of Media Relations at Eden, David Rowe, who reminded us that Eden had been involved with the county side some 18 years ago.
County Chairman Dave Saunter then welcomed everyone on behalf of the CRFU.
There followed presentations to the players about the program for this season along with the unveiling of the new county shirt which this season features a white collar and a passing nod to the 1991 shirt.
County President John Sumnall thanked everybody for attending and paid tribute to all the county sponsors, St. Austell Brewery, Kelsall Steele, Brooks Macdonald, Eden Project and Trelawny’s Army.
Trelawny’s Army members then led the audience in the singing of Trelawny before everyone tucked into an excellent buffet provided by the Eden Project.
Last season’s county skipper Ben Hilton was delighted with the turnout. He said. “It’s wonderful turnout given the weather conditions that are prevailing across Cornwall, around 150 people here today just to launch our campaign is amazing.
Hilton feels that there is always a special buzz on these occasions. “It’s a great communal feeling, the coming together of the clans, it doesn’t matter if you are playing at Redruth or Liskeard-Looe or wherever you come together for a common cause.
“I am really excited to see Eden coming onboard as a partner this season alongside some of our more established sponsors, it’s great that they have a belief in us and listening to David Rowe speaking I feel sure that this partnership will endure well past my playing days.
Hilton’s enthusiasm for playing for Cornwall remains undiminished. “Playing for Cornwall has been and remains a big part of my playing career. If I can transmit some of my passion to the young players coming into the squad then I am delighted. Everybody here today wants to be part of it, but to succeed you must put in the hard work at training and buy into our ethos.
“Once again we will go into games as underdogs, but our belief and the support from Trelawny’s Army will motivate us and push us to give our best.”
Thanks must also be expressed to St. Austell Brewery who provided us with the video presentation and also their excellent beer.
