The Midwest Rugby Football Union (MRFU) has canceled its senior club 7s series this summer. The decision was made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, USA Rugby’s Return to Play Guidelines, and the varying healthcare and “re-opening” policies between the many Midwest member states.
“We will all need to endure some restrictions, as well as extra precautionary measures just to get back on the pitch,” a memorandum from the MRFU Executive Committee read.
The Executive Committee is holding a conference call for all LAU presidents on Thursday, June 4 and will detail the Midwest’s Return to Competition policies. Key issues include:
- The Accident Insurance component of our CIPP has been activated; however it does NOT cover COVID-19 issues.
- The Liability Insurance provided by USAR does not cover COVID-19 related issues. Liability could fall to the lowest common denominator; that could be club officials and/or LAU Officers.
- Each state has a different pace for R2P, especially for full contact sports and there are some interstate travel restrictions that will impact competitions.
- The MWRFU has developed enhanced procedures and resources to help ensure compliance and reporting by all players and clubs to get back to full competition.
The call will also address:
- There will be no MWRFU 7s Series this summer .
- There should be no tackling, rucks, or scrum practices until your state is in USAR Phase 5.
- There is almost no chance of any competition anywhere in the Midwest until at least mid-August. The MWRFU RTC decision-matrix will guide the decision.
- There is a chance that some areas of the Midwest will not have a full season in the Fall. The MWRFU RTC decision-matrix will guide the decision.
- Clubs must demonstrate compliance with MWRFU policies and procedures before they participate in sanctioned events. These procedures will include:
- Daily Self- Reporting of all players (days of participation only) – amended form from MWRFU;
- Recorded and reported through MWRFU Reporting System;
- Attestation of daily sanitary procedures;
- Documented practice plans with limited participants (per state guidance);
- Temperature check of all participants prior to engaging in practice;
- Public notice of club policies and procedures;
- Posted signs for the public requiring mitigation practices.
For more information, visit www.midwest.rugby