Ash RFC Coronavirus Update Page - July to September 2020

Update 10 - 05/10/2020.

It’s been a few weeks since the last update. That’s because nothing has changed much, and there’s no changes for the forthcoming weeks (as far as we are aware!)

The only bit of news, which we shared on our social media pages last Friday is that the community rugby season definitely won’t start until January 2021, confirmed by the RFU.

Update 9 - 14/09/2020.

A small update this week from us at Ash RFC.

The first minis and juniors training session of the new season was a success. All of the players left the club happy and safe, which in the current world is very important!

Training for the minis and juniors will continue next Sunday. If you are new to the club, please get in touch so we can help you get ready for training!

The seniors are taking this week off from training, we will be back on the grind next Tuesday.

Update 8 - 07/09/2020.

Our senior squad are still training, but now on the normal night of a Tuesday evening. If you're interested in playing for Ash, let us know via ashrugbyfc@gmail.com or contact us on one of our social media pages. Search 'Ash Rugby Club' on Facebook, '@AshRFC' on Twitter and '@ashrfc' on Instagram, and direct message us.

Ash RFC are excited to start youth training on Sunday 13th September 2020. 

Below are the times for the age groups:

Under 6s/Under 7s/Under 8s: 09:45am - 11:30am

Under 9s/Under 11s: 10:15am - 12:00pm

Under 13s/Under 14s: 09:45am - 12:00pm

Please download the appropriate Track and Trace form from our website (in Documents under Information). Our website is www.ashrugbyclub.co.uk. If you come without this on the day of training, could mean your child not training.

Also, please bring your own hand towel and water bottle!

Ash RFC are following the RFU Return to Community Rugby Roadmap & all of the RFU COVID-19 guidance. 

Update 7 - 01/09/2020.

We have now moved up to Phase D of the RFU's Return to Rugby Roadmap for the community game. This means that at training sessions we can have restricted contact drills in the bubble of 6 players. The Ready4Rugby setup still stands, and technically speaking we're now allowed to play fixtures with this game.

Our senior squad are still training, but now on the normal night of a Tuesday evening. If you're interested in playing for Ash, let us know via ashrugbyfc@gmail.com or contact us on one of our social media pages. Search 'Ash Rugby Club' on Facebook, '@AshRFC' on Twitter and '@ashrfc' on Instagram, and direct message us.

The Mini's and Junior's are still aiming for a mid-September restart, we are still getting the right procedures in place, so training is as safe as possible for players and parents. When we know the plan, we will let you know. Likewise with the seniors, contact us if you're interested in your son/daughter playing rugby at Ash.

Update 7 - 24/08/2020.

Not much has changed in the world of rugby union, we are still the same situation as last weeks update. We're getting the minis & juniors training ready for September, and the senior sides are training under COVID guidelines.

However, tomorrow (Tuesday 25th August), is the Annual General Meeting for this year. This will be a socially distanced meeting at the clubhouse. If you are interested in attending, get in touch with us by emailing us or messaging us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

Update 6 - 17/08/2020.

We have some good news! We are starting minis & juniors training in September. This training will be in the COVID guidelines we have been mentioning in the last 5 weeks. If you are interested in training, get in touch!

If there are any adults (17+) who are interested in training, please call one of our coaches (On the 1st XV/Hornets Page) and express your interest there, or message us via email, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Update 5 - 10/08/2020.

We have some good news! As you have probably seen from England Rugby, we have moved to Stage C in the Community Return to Rugby Roadmap. This means we can start to play touch rugby again (with adaptations), which is the nearest we've got to playing. Our Seniors are experimenting tonight to see how this new Stage will affect training and what we have been doing.

If there are any adults (17+) who are interested in training, please call one of our coaches (On the 1st XV/Hornets Page) and express your interest there, or message us via email, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Regarding the Minis & Juniors, we haven't started to train yet as we are still technically out of season, we are in the summer months. Even though the Pandemic has changed the rugby calendar, we are still planning for a September start. This all depends on the safety of all, the logistics of parking and social distancing, and government guidelines. We promise we will have some form of training soon, but we have to be very careful in what we are planning to make sure we are following the right procedures and policies, but offering training to the players.

Update 4 - 03/08/2020.

We are still aware that all of us are eager to throw a rugby ball around again. We are working on this. There has been no word from the rugby authorities on what the next step would be for rugby training of all ages. However due to the risk and increased coverage of a potential second spike in cases and local lockdowns, we are now not too sure when we can move to the next phase of the return to rugby roadmap. We guess that we should keep our eyes peeled for further updates.

Update 3 - 20/07/2020.

Ash RFC are still working to bring rugby back safely for all ages. However there seems to be other clubs breaking the Senior's Return to Rugby Roadmap, as the RFU have created an article last Friday reminding all clubs that we are still on Phase B, which is groups of 6 training, social distancing is absolutely necessary, no contact and minimal equipment (rugby ball only). As previously stated, we are following the roadmap, and will let everyone know when new adults can train.

The RFU have also put out a provisional fixture list for the 1st XV, who are playing in the RFU League Shepherd Neame Kent 2. The fixture list is public on the RFU website, but they have asked clubs not to post them as dates haven't been confirmed. Regarding the Hornets, the Kent Rural league organisers have confirmed that we will be playing in Shepherd Neame Kent Rural 5 East, with 9 other teams. Fixtures will be posted when we're allowed too.

Update 2 - 15/07/2020.

Hello all Ash Rugby Club members and parents,

A quick update for the Minis and Juniors members. We hope you and your families are safe and well.  This is just a quick note to say that we, at Ash Rugby Club, are keeping up to date with government, health dept and RFU guidelines on making a plan to return to rugby safely (hopefully sometime near the start of the new season in September).  
The RFU and Kent RFU are communicating with us about how we can safely plan for the Minis and Juniors to return to rugby.  As you will appreciate, this will take a lot of planning, risk assessments and new guidelines for training, groups and facilities.
We will stay in touch on the Ash RFC website and WhatsApp groups as these plans develop.  If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with your age group Coach, Kelly or Jo.
Kind regards, Ash RFC.

Update 1 - 13/07/2020.

Ash RFC are aware that other clubs are training, for all ages. Ash are working on making training safe and effective, and also within the procedures of the Return to Play from the RFU. Below we have a update from all sides of the club.

Seniors: We are trialling small training sessions within the existing squad, to make sure the procedures and policies put in place work correctly, and the overall session operates smoothly. We will let you know when we are opening training to new players.

Minis & Juniors: We are working on a way that we can restart training again correctly and most importantly, safely. There are more issues to consider with the age groups, as there may be more spectators, for example. We will keep everyone updated in what we are planning to do.