Rugby Victoria Community Update #5
10 APRIL 2020
Dear all,
On behalf of Rugby Australia and the Member Unions, we’d like to thank our Rugby Community for your continued efforts and support as we continue to adapt to this rapidly evolving situation.
POSTPONEMENT DATE
Rugby Australia and its State and Territory Member Unions have made the collective decision to further postpone Community Rugby across the country until at least June 1.
All Rugby activity including matches, training and face-to-face education courses will not be conducted during this period.
Given the uncertainty surrounding the length of time Government restrictions will be in place to combat the spread of COVID-19, Rugby Australia and the State and Territory Unions are not in a position to provide a specific return date. The organisations will continue to review this position as further updates from Government and Health Authorities are received.
NATIONAL INSURANCE PROGRAMME
Rugby Australia remains in discussion with our Insurance broker, Aon, regarding the National Risk Management and Insurance Programme and associated premium for the remainder of the 2020 season. It is important to note that the policy has four components; Personal Injury, Public and Products Liability, Professional Indemnity and Club Management Liability. Whilst the player participation risk has significantly reduced due to the postponement of all face to face rugby activities, all four policies are still required to ensure the rugby community has appropriate coverage.
Rugby Australia and Aon are in continued discussion with SLE (the incumbent 2020 program insurer) on innovative ways to restructure the program premium rating for the 2020 period. These discussions are on ensuring essential coverage for the rugby community is maintained, whilst appropriately accounting for the likely reduced playing and training participation exposure due to COVID-19.
Rugby Australia will be able to communicate any updates to the National Risk Management and Insurance Programme when the full extent and impact of COVID-19 to the Rugby Season is known.
The below can be used if required....
Examples of incidents that may occur whilst face to face rugby activities are postponed:
Personal Injury
- A player injures themselves during a team workout that is being conducted via a technology platform.
Public and Products Liability
- A player is training by themselves at their local rugby ground and sustains an injury after running through an unmarked divot in the turf.
Professional Indemnity
- A player is training by themselves and practicing a technique instructed to them by their coach. The player is injured whilst training and alleges the coach provided wrongful advice.
Club Management Liability
- A club committee member makes defamatory remarks about someone from another club and is sued for damages.
STATEMENT ON REGISTRATIONS
Rugby Australia along with the State and Territory Member Unions will work with competition/association administrators to regularly review the impact of COVID-19 on the 2020 season. Various options are being developed to support each competition/association to deliver, in good faith, a rugby experience to all registered participants in 2020, as Government restrictions are eased. Options could include extending the season and playing matches at different times and days. When the full extent of the impact to the season is known we will be able to provide further information to the Rugby Community. We thank you for your patience during this time, especially to those that have registered for the 2020 season.
SAFETY AND WELFARE
Our priority continues to be the health and safety of our Rugby Community which includes players, coaches, referees, volunteers and staff.
To support this, Rugby Australia has produced guidelines around what to do if there are suspected cases within your Rugby Community and how best to communicate this. The document can be accessed here.
Just a reminder that following the decision by Rugby Australia and the Member Unions to postpone all Rugby activities until at least 1 June, alongside the restrictions introduced by the Federal Government on March 23, all gym facilities within Rugby Clubs must remain closed indefinitely.
Further information on public gatherings can be found here.
COACHES
Rugby Australia wants to ensure Community Coaches feel prepared and confident once the Rugby season returns. Over the coming weeks all accredited Coaches will be invited to join an online forum to keep up to date with all things coaching and access useful resources.
In addition to this, a quick reminder that Smart Rugby accreditation expired on April 1. We would also encourage anyone who’s interested in coaching to complete the free online course. Please click here for further details.
REFEREES
The Game Management Guidelines are now available in three mediums (video, PDFs and PowerPoints) via the Rugby Australia portal here.
Rugby Australia will regularly share educational videos on ‘Refereeing Best Practice’. The first video around ‘Half Time Game Plan’ can be viewed here.
Furthermore, we are now using the application Zoom to run online referee conferences. The course schedule will be finalised within the next week. In the meantime, the Zoom app can be downloaded for free here.
CLUB ADMINS
A reminder to make sure you have completed the latest Rugby Xplorer administration courses. You will receive your accreditation via the Learning Centre once completed.
Furthermore, Rugby Xplorer version 3.2 is now available for download and the latest updates can be read here.
FINAL NOTE
Whilst the Rugby Community may not be able to connect in person at the moment, we encourage you to remain connected to the game through our social media channels where we are sharing daily content to keep you informed and entertained.
On behalf of the Board and staff of Rugby Victoria, we wish you all a wonderful Easter. Please stay safe and enjoy this time with your family.
Kinds Regards,
Chris Evans
General Manager
Rugby Victoria
Neil Hay
President
Rugby Victoria
