The last major event to be played in Vancouver prior to COVID-19 was Rugby 7’s at BC Place in front of a sell-out crowd for both days.

With sports waiting in limbo to return, BC Rugby recently launched a “Return to Rugby plan urging all Associations and Member Clubs to apply for sanctioning under these new terms. 

The plan is divided into five (5) distinct phases, all of which are in line with ViaSport Guidelines that allows a gradual return for Rugby activity in BC.

The plan for the return is currently entering the second phase which is known as Rugby Re-Engaged which does not include any inter-club or contact activities and limited to activities that maintain physical distance having rugby balls as the only piece of shared equipment.

The next phase is slated to begin in September allowing some small-sided non-contact games within clubs as well as using some extra shared equipment. 

Inter-regional travel will only be allowed in the fourth phase, when low-contact small-sided games can be played between clubs, all of which will be managed and sanctioned by BC Rugby.

 It’s hoped that next season players, coaches and volunteers will support their Clubs in their return with limited to non-contact, small-sided games such as Touch or Flag Rugby. 

To Return to Rugby, all Member Clubs and Associations must apply for sanctioning. To apply, Clubs will need to complete the following steps:

Step 1: Appoint one or more COVID-19 Safety Coordinators

Step 2: Complete World Rugby COVID-19 Awareness Course for administrators

Step 3: Complete a Risk Assessment, using the template provided

Step 4: Complete a COVID Safety Plan, using the template provided

Step 5: Update the Club’s Emergency Action Plan

Step 6: Complete online sanctioning form and upload supporting documents

As one would expect they must follow public health orders and everyone will be responsible for undertaking the following tasks:

• Once your Club is sanctioned, you can register for the new season please know that this facilitates the acknowledgement of an updated waiver and ensures participants are insured to take part in any rugby activities.
• If you have symptoms of COVID-19, stay at home and you must not attend any rugby activities. 
• Your Club will ask you to complete a COVID-19 Attestation which is a formal declaration that you have followed public health orders and are otherwise healthy.
• Your Club will be recording your attendance at any in-person rugby activities to facilitate COVID-19 tracking and tracing. This information shall be stored within the Sportlomo platform to ensure your personal information is all stored safely and securely. 
• If you become infected with COVID-19 (confirmed with a positive test result) and attended any in-person rugby activities within the past 4 weeks, you must immediately notify your Club’s Safety Coordinator or BC Rugby’s Safety Manager, Brynna Walker, by emailing [email protected]. 

Thanks to BC Rugby for the above information