Northern FC

England Rugby have today confirmed that their action plan to return to safe grassroots rugby has moved to Stage C. The next stage involves training teams of 10 playing against each other in a non contact game. This is a big boost to rugby clubs as we look to get back to some sort of normality out on the pitch. It will be up to the individual clubs to decide how they go forward, whilst sticking to government and local authorities guidance on COVID-19.

Here is a link to the new Ready4Rugby non-contact game introduced by the RFU:

https://www.englandrugby.com/participation/playing/game-on/ready-4-rugby

Steve Grainger, RFU Rugby Development Director, comments “It’s great that we’ve been able to secure the green light to recommence some rugby activity. Ready4Rugby provides a great opportunity for the rugby community to recommence training with larger group sizes and begin to reintroduce matches. We thank government for their support over the last few months to help get us to this position.

“We know that players are eager to get back to playing team rugby and whilst we recognise that there will be some disappointment that the 15-a-side contact game cannot yet return, player welfare and safety is paramount and we must continue to manage risk appropriately. The reaction of our community clubs over the last few months has been amazing, with many doing incredible work in their local communities. We are now delighted that they will be able to put some effort back into getting rugby activity underway.

“We are sure this news will also be welcomed by schools, colleges and universities. We will continue to work with the education sector to ensure all rugby playing institutions are as prepared as they can be for the new academic year.”