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PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: Signs advising people on Coronavirus are displayed at the clubhouse during the Lockie Cup Semi Final match between Old Plymouthian and Mannameadians and Plymstock Albion Oaks at Ivybridge Rugby Club on March 14, 2020 in Plymouth, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

RFU

31 Dec 2020 | 5 min |

RFU Tier 4 rugby update

Following today's (Wednesday, 30 December) Government announcement that the majority of the country will move into Tiers 3 and 4 as of 00.01 tomorrow morning (Thursday 31 December), we wanted to provide a reminder of Tier implications for community rugby.

Please see below for guidance on what can and can’t be done in each Tier. It is vital that we all adhere to Tier and Covid-19 guidance until we reach a stage where restrictions can gradually be lifted.

  • Clubs in Tier 3 can still play rugby according to Stage E on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap (adults and U18s). Please remember, there is no obligation to play 15-a-side adapted contact fixtures, however it is an option for clubs who wish to do so.
  • Clubs in a Tier 4 area should cancel any upcoming adult training/fixtures. 
  • At the time of writing, Stage E rugby activity in Tier 4 areas can continue for U18s (including those who were under 18 on 31 August 2020) and disabled people as exemptions are in place. We will advise of any changes if we receive an update from Government in the next few days.
  • It remains the choice of clubs, players and parents as to what level of activity they are comfortable for U18s to do. There is absolutely no pressure to participate if they would prefer to wait. We have communicated the current Government guidance which means Stage E rugby remains an option in Tiers 1-4 should U18s wish to play and we will update if we receive further guidance from Government.

Club Support For Queries

  • Government advice on sports activity in Tier 4 areas is here.
  • For any queries, please visit our Helpdesk FAQs on our Club Support page.
  • Resources are also available on our Coronavirus Hub. 
  • If you are unsure on what tier you are currently in or will be going into, you can find it using the Government website here (Each bullet point listed on the Government website represents each specific area.) 

Please see below for a reminder around travel and match play in each tier: 
 
Adult Rugby

  • Adult players living in Tier 3 can only travel within their own specific Tier 3 area to train or play. (See above for Government website areas)
  • Adult players living in Tier 3 cannot travel into another Tier 3 area (or other Tiers) to train or play (which includes their own club if it is in a different geographic area).
  • As above, each bullet point listed on the Government website represents the specific area. If you are in a Tier 3 area you must not travel into another Tier 3 area that is listed as a separate bullet point to the area in which you live. You may only travel within the areas listed as part of the same bullet point)
  • Adult rugby is not permitted in Tier 4. 

Age Grade 

At the time of writing, the following still applies. We will advise of any changes if we receive an update from Government in the next few days.

  • Age grade players may, due to Government exemptions for U18s, travel across tiers 1-3 to train or play and can be accompanied by one parent or carer. However, to protect all involved, we strongly recommend that wherever possible training and match play follows adult guidelines. i.e. they do not cross tiers and instead only train or play within the specific area in which they live.
  • Age grade players in Tier 4 may only travel within their specific Tier 4 area to train or play and may only be accompanied by one parent or carer.

Please note, in Tier 4 areas, only toilet facilities can be used. Changing rooms and showers are not allowed to be used.

Volunteers

  • Volunteers (including coaches and match officials) may travel across Tiers 1-3, where necessary, to enable participation to take place. However, to protect all involved, we strongly recommend this is kept to an absolute minimum.
  • Volunteers (including coaches and match officials) living in Tier 4 should only travel within their specific Tier 4 area to enable participation to take place for U18s ONLY.
  • Additional exemptions are in place for disabled people. 

We will update you when we receive further information from Government and will work hard to enable as many people as possible to return to rugby when it is safe to do so.

Areas going into Tiers 3 and Tiers 4 can be found here. 

For further information and resources for clubs on Coronavirus, visit the Coronavirus support hub.

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