After a long wait, rugby is back! Under the new restrictions, training can now resume with groups of 15 for all sections.
We asked all player, coaches and parent to familiarise themselves with the training guidelines inline with the Executive and rugby bodies.
Ophir RFC Update for Players and Youth and Minis Parents
As per IRFU guidance and Ulster Branch guidance on the return to rugby the players must be allocated to a pod and then stay in the same pod for every training session. A pod can be a maximum of 15 people including coaches.
The pods permitted per rugby pitch is as follows:-
The resumption is limited to training only and contact is to be minimised. All club house facilities will remain closed.
The IRFU have given the following guidance which applies to all:
Behaviours
We are all in this together – my behaviour affects everyone.
Team Ethics
“I do it for my team mates and they do it for me and success depends on us all doing it”.
Social Disapproval
We call each other out on unsafe behaviour.
Do not become a close contact. Treat everyone as if they have Covid-19. Do not be within 2 metres of another person. If you are within 2 metres of another person it should be for a minimal amount of time.
Risk Mitigation
Risk Groups
The IRFU have identified young players as one of the risk groups because they are the group that are most likely to be having significant social interactions outside of their rugby environment. Social interactions outside of the rugby environment impact on the rugby environment because if someone is interacting socially with others outside of the rugby environment that may increase the prospects that they bring Covid-19 into the rugby environment.
At Ophir we expect all our players regardless of age to behave responsibly and this extends to acting in accordance with the relevant government guidance in place at the time when they are not at rugby.
Before training
You will be sent the health declaration questionnaire in advance and it must be completed in advance. If it is not completed the player cannot train.
You will be sent an aerial photograph which will be marked to show where your/the player’s pod will be training and where you should park.
Travel to and from training
Mode of transport should not be shared unless the individuals are from within the same household.
When at training
Youth rugby
All of the above applies to youth rugby except the arrangements for arrival and departure which shall be dealt with as follows:
The Ulster Branch have stated that parents are not permitted at pitch side and must observe from their cars.
Therefore, in light of this:
We thank all players, coaches and parents for their ongoing cooperation. Stay safe and keep each other safe!