IURFC Rugby & Netball Newsletter
Covid 19 Updates
COVID-19 UPDATE 22 MARCH 2020
While the situation remains the same around club netball, there has been an update regarding Rugby, with the recommendation from NZ Rugby as below:
As we all appreciate this is an unprecedented and very dynamic situation, and things are constantly changing. Therefore our updated advice for community Rugby, since our last update on 17 March is as follows.
Our advice to Provincial Unions is to POSTPONE all Game Development Workshops including Rugby Smarts, Small Blacks, Coach and Referee workshops until further notice.
Our recommendation is also to CANCEL all team and group-based rugby trainings. Although these measures are not explicitly required by Government, these measures will help to minimise the risk of person to person transmission.
This position is to stay in effect until April 18th, or further notice. With the advice that this pandemic will last far longer than weeks, we will review the proposed start date of rugby and provide on-going advice on that in due course also.
One way you can help us as a club to ensure things proceed smoothly when and if the season does begin if you haven’t already done so, is by completing your registration for the season online. We are delaying the payment of subs until we are certain the season will go ahead, so please skip this bit for now, could you indicate uniform sizes in possession when registering also. This will also help us to communicate information with you directly through email in case you miss our Facebook updates.
We realise there is a great deal of information about and would like to encourage all to follow the advice of the NZ Govt at this challenging time for so many. Keep yourselves, your families and friends Safe.
In the meantime, you can also find more information regarding rugby’s response to COVID-19 on their website https://www.nzrugby.co.nz/news-and-events/covid-19/, or for more general information on COVID-19 the Government’s website https://covid19.govt.nz/
COVID-19 FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT WEDNESDAY 18TH MARCH
Within the last 24 hours, both New Zealand Rugby and Netball New Zealand have announced postponement of all club competitions around New Zealand. All rugby will be suspended until at least the 18th April, with no contact training before the 13th April. All netball (including pre season tournaments and summer leagues) will be suspended until at least 2nd May. We understand this will have a huge impact on our players, volunteers and club members, but we want to reiterate the importance of adhering to this advise. We want our club members kept safe and healthy, and therefore support the measures put in place by officials.
Our club will also be postponing any planned events outside of games during this time. Notably, our Rugby registration night planned for tomorrow night (19th) has been postponed until further notice, while similarly our Netball Uniform Night scheduled for Sunday (22nd) has also been postponed until further notice. We will keep you updated in regards to other planned club events closer to the time.
This is a fluid and evolving situation. You can expect more updates as they come to hand. Obviously this situation is out of our control, but we will do our best to keep our club members informed from the information we receive. If you have any questions regarding the club seasons, please read the information linked below, message our page, or get in touch with your coach/manager and we will do our best to answer them for you.
Please look after yourselves and your family members during this challenging time. We understand this is a worrying situation for many, so we encourage you to check in on each other virtually and care for not only your physical, but also your mental health.
We encourage our players to continue individual training where possible to maintain fitness, stay home and away from others if you are feeling unwell, and practice regular hand washing.
New Zealand Rugby Media Release:
https://www.nzrugby.co.nz/…/covid-19-club-rugby-participat…/
Taranaki Rugby Media Release:
https://www.trfu.co.nz/newsarticle/88325…
Netball New Zealand Media Release:
https://www.netballnz.co.nz/…/media-advisory-community-netb…
Netball Taranaki Media Release:
http://www.netballtaranaki.org.nz/cms/news/enewsletter/20435
If you would like more information around COVID-19 itself, we encourage you to get this from reputable health sources rather than relying on information from social media. Some recommended websites are listed below:
-WHO (https://www.who.int/)
-NZ Ministry of Health (https://www.health.govt.nz/…/dis…/covid-19-novel-coronavirus)