Rugby Oregon

Hello Rugby Oregon Community,

Under mandatory Covid restrictions, we have not been able to participate in rugby for almost 12 months. While those limitations are not over, Rugby Oregon is happy to announce a restart of rugby with a limited format, Super 6 Rugby.

While we are all eager to return to full contact rugby, the wellbeing of our communities, families, friends, and teammates must remain a priority. Given the physicality and the extreme close and prolonged contact in rugby, it is important that we all acknowledge that rugby carries a higher risk for spreading a respiratory disease than most other sports. Due to the complexity of mask requirements, and the risk involved in wearing a mask and a mouthguard while playing full contact rugby, the decision was made to play a touch rugby format this next season.

Super 6 Rugby will be a 7-week season with kick off on Saturday April 17th and Saturday games running through May 29th, registration will open on March 15th.

For reasons of safety and adherence to the OHA guidelines for outdoor activities, games will be played regionally to minimize travel wherever possible.

Rugby Oregon has recruited USA Touch to develop coach and referee resources to assist us in the transition to touch rugby. There will be two online education sessions on March 20th and 27th. There will also be an in-person session for coaches on April 3rd.

It is on all of us to acknowledge our responsibility and combat the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. Rugby Oregon will follow the OHA Guidelines for Outdoor Activities:

• Rugby activities will be outdoors only
• Practices and game days have a maximum attendance of 75 people
• All participants and attendees will wear masks covering the nose and mouth at all times
• All participants must do a health screening on arrival to practices and games
• All participants must sign in and sign out of practices and game days
• Anyone experiencing symptoms of Covid, or any other illness, must stay home or seek medical care
• Spectators at practices and games must remain in their vehicles
• No sharing of water bottles, clothes, or other gear
• When not on the field, maintain a minimum of 6 feet of distance from other people

It is important that we all adhere to the state guidelines to protect each other and to allow rugby to continue.

Our youth flag program will operate as normal with youth flag rugby rules on the same schedule and dates.

Finally, we would like to thank the Rugby Oregon community for staying resilient and supportive through Covid-19, and for maintaining interest in our great sport. 

Sincerely,

The Rugby Oregon Restart Committee

Michael Swiericzuk, John Mead, Lawrence Anderson, Dave Fitzhugh, Jim Kautz, Laci Betts, Ross Emerick, Jeff Arker, Lance Henwood, Joe Alvernaz