The Eagles Rugby program has announced a summer session next month and how organizers plan to make it safe to participate.
Earlier this year, the Northborough Southborough Eagles Youth Rugby program announced changes for this season. A lot has happened since the February parents info night.
Changes to deal with safety this summer include a shift from full contact rugby to “non contact touch” play. The co-ed program will also feature skills and fitness training. “Training bubbles” will be limited to 12 players each.
The new schedule for the summer program is Monday and Wednesday evenings from August 3rd to the 26th.
Registration is through Southborough Recreation. The website describes how organizers are dealing with safety during the pandemic:
COVID Response with Eagles Rugby
How will Eagles adapt to the pandemic?Eagles rugby will not continue to play full contact rugby and therefore we will alter our practice to be a more fitness based and skills orientated program. Short games of none contact touch rugby will be included where players release the ball when their shorts are touched by an opponent to simulate being tackled in the traditional game. This will prevent any face to face contact and greatly reduce any chances for the virus to spread. We will reduce the number of players on a team from 15 to 6, further reduce the exposure among our coaches and players. Players will be split into small groups and will stay with one coach for the entire practice instead of rotating coaches in stations.
What will we do to keep people safe?
To help prevent coronavirus we are taking all the necessary measures introduced by USA rugby and the CDC.
- We will have clorox wipes for all equipment cleaned after every drill.
- Mandatory hand washing followed by hand sanitizer during practice.
- Mask wearing being strictly enforced off the field and by the coaches.
- Coaches will perform temperature checks on all players and coaches using a non contact thermometer before practices. Players will be required to report any covid symptoms and will be asked to remain at home for two weeks from that time.
- Players will be divided into smaller groups of 12 or less.
- Social distancing will be implemented off the field with players being required to stay six feet apart and wear a mask and to avoid unnecessary small talk.
- Parents and spectators will be requested to not attend practices where possible but if they choose to do so they will be required to remain six feet apart and wear a mask at all times.
You can register for the Eagles program through Rec’s website here.
