GRASSROOTS RUGBY FACING 2021 KICK-OFF
THE Welsh Rugby Union has outlined its initial plans for the community game next season which could mean delaying kick-off for some clubs until January 2021.
The union held an online “return -to-play webinar” with their grassroots clubs on Monday evening when the clear message was that the game, below professional level in Wales, faces a prolonged period of time in lockdown.
In March, the WRU followed the lead of their Irish and English counterparts by cancelling the remainder of the 2019/20 grassroots season due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The union decided there would be no promotion or relegation in any of the WRU leagues and teams will remain in the division they are currently in for the start of the 2020/21 season.
Now, nearly three months on, the community game could have a different look to what club rugby has been accustomed to in recent seasons when it’s back up and running.
One proposal could be a more localised set-up for next season, to cut down on the travelling, and a staggered start to the season, but clubhouses may have to remain closed. The traditional September start to the Welsh club rugby season has already been ruled out by the Union and depending on how things pan out regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, the WRU has sent out an initial framework to their member clubs on getting back out on the rugby field next season.
In a circular sent out to clubs entitled the Community Game Progress Report, they said: “Welsh rugby is led by Government guidelines and Public Health Board input at this time, and continually meeting with representatives of the working group – we have agreed our staged progression to return to rugby.
“Returning to rugby may not align completely to clubhouses being open for business.
“The competitions management committee will review alternative competition scenarios for consideration of the Community Game Board.
“All current scenarios include staggered starts to the season being October, December and January 2021 and will need to cater for a potential second wave of the virus.
“We have postponed our player registration and transfer window until such time we can issue WRU operating manuals to all our clubs illustrating clearly how we return to rugby in line with Government legislation.
“We have communicated our first update to clubs, players, coaches and referee in relation to how the current Government guidelines can be applied to rugby training.”
Meanwhile, professional rugby bosses will vote on the game’s immediate future on June 30, it has been revealed.
Representatives from the game’s top nations and leagues – including the Welsh Rugby Union and Guinness PRO14 – met earlier this week to discuss potential adjustments to the global international calendar. An extended autumn window, that would see Test matches played throughout October and November, has been mooted to generate some much-needed revenue when the game is allowed to resume after Covid-19.
In a statement, World Rugby revealed such possibilities were explored and that a final decision on what the 2020 rugby calendar will look like is going to be made at the end of the month.
The statement read: “With the global Covid-19 pandemic significantly impacting the 2020 rugby calendar and union and club finances, all parties recognise the need to agree a compromise solution that enables both disrupted professional club and international competitions to be completed this year.
“In the absence of full alignment, further information sharing and discussion will be undertaken with all parties regarding the viability of proposed adjustments to the 2020 international release weekends stipulated in Regulation 9 that will enable postponed and other international matches to be played in an adjusted window from October, while enabling the completion of existing club competitions.
“The final decision on 2020 will be confirmed by vote of the World Rugby Council on June 30 following consideration and recommendation by the World Rugby Executive Committee.”