How latest lockdown has changed life at KR
SMITH DISCUSSES 2021 TRAINING
TONY Smith has given an insight into the strict rules Super League clubs must adhere to during the latest national lockdown, with the Hull KR head coach anticipating daily testing in the near future.
The Rovers squad reported back to Craven Park for pre-season training at the end of December and it has been a throwback to their return from the shutdown last summer, only stricter.
Players must wear a mask when they use the gym and even outside during socially distanced huddles.
It is a far from ideal environment for sportsmen but Smith and his squad are putting things in perspective at a time when the vast majority of people are locked away at home.
“We understand that we’re lucky and privileged to be able to get out while many people aren’t able to,” Smith told the Mail.
“The restrictions are even more severe on us now but we’re prepared to do all those things in order to get out to go to work. If that’s what we’ve got to do, that’s what we’ve got to do. Everyone’s been really good like that.
“It’s difficult. They’re all expected to train with masks on in certain areas and that in itself is tough but they’re prepared to do it.
“We need to do that in the gym, and any time that we come into an area where we have to stop and talk in an environment outside we need to pull our masks up and keep our distance from each other.
“So even outdoors there’s still some times that we need to have our masks on and make sure we’re not doing anything that we’re not supposed to.
“It’s just reminding them and getting into habits at the moment. But they’re doing really well with it.
“The restrictions are quite severe but putting it back into perspective, many people aren’t allowed to leave their homes so we’re lucky.”
Super League clubs underwent testing once a week when the 2020 season resumed but that has changed to twice weekly in an attempt to outbreaks.
Rapid tests are now being used, which could become a daily occurrence.
“They stepped up to twice a week and now there’s a possibility of going prevent coronavirus to once a day,” said Smith.
“We’ve had all negative results so far but there is talk of it going to each training day that we’re in we have to do that test.
“I’d suggest we’ll step up to that in the near future.”