Boost for community rugby league as return nears

The Government is set to approve the RFL’s Action Plan for the return of community rugby league.

The phased plan outlines the return of non-contact Rugby League – including social formats such as Touch and Try Tag Rugby League.

This phase will be followed, subject to a review led the RFL’s Clinical Advisory Group at the end of August, by a phased return to full contact Rugby League.

Marc Lovering, RFL Director of Participation and Development, said: “This is a major step forward for the community game and we were able to share the news with community game stakeholders first hand yesterday (Tuesday 4 August) via a series of webinars focused on Community Rugby League.

“When our entire sport was brought to an abrupt halt in March, some parts of the community game were playing and some were yet to begin their seasons. We knew then that resumption would be fluid and complicated.

“We didn’t want to arbitrarily curtail league and cup competitions too quickly, but instead wanted to work closely with leagues, foundations and clubs, and to respond to the situation as it unfolded.

“We have taken a long-term approach to the evolving situation around the public health and the lockdown of sports, with the aim of keeping as many options for as long as possible.

“The impact on the community game has been severe and, sadly, there will be insufficient time to complete competitions once full contact Community Rugby League returns. Our focus now is on supporting clubs with localised friendly fixtures in the Autumn.”

A return to full contact Rugby League would involve modifications, including the removal of scrums.