Club matches to kick off in June

Taranaki club rugby is a step closer to kick off after Covid-19 restrictions on mass gatherings were lifted from 10 to 100 people.

In an emailed statement, the Taranaki Rugby Football Union (TRFU) said pre-season matches kick off on June 13 and the CMK club competition would start on June 20.

However, rules on how to manage large crowds at games, and in the clubrooms after match are still to be finalised, it said.

Inglewood United Rugby Club chairman Gavin Midgley said the clubroom may not open until regulations were better understood.

‘‘If you have two games being played at the same venue that will create a big crowd in the clubrooms afterwards, which may not work under the current rules,’’ he said.

Midgley said all the clubs were working closely with the TRFU to find a solution.

TRFU has been working with New Zealand Rugby on appropriate measures clubs and teams should take in order to remain safe under alert level 2, community rugby manager Cole Brown said.

Teams can resume training before tomorrow in groups of 10, provided all level 2 requirements for contact tracing, hygiene measures and social distancing (including 10-person training bubbles) are met and signed off by the TRFU.

From noon tomorrow training bubbles can increase to 100 with all other level 2 requirements remaining.

‘‘It’s really encouraging that clubs can commence training as Taranaki builds towards the start of the club season,’’ Brown said in the statement.

‘‘We are all looking forward to getting some club rugby under way when it’s possible to do so.’’