Rocky Mountain Rugby status update on COVID-19

UPDATE: MARCH 20. Rocky Mountain Rugby has extended its period of suspension indefinitely to mirror USA Rugby's suspension period.

UPDATE: MARCH 13. Rocky Mountain Rugby has extended its period of suspension through April 12 to mirror USA Rugby's suspension period.

UPDATE: MARCH 12. Effective immediately, all rugby activities are suspended until April 2. The RMR Board of Directors voted 5-0 to approve this measure mid-day on March 12. Weekly updates will be provided, and the date of suspension may be extended past April 2. Officials are actively working on contingency plans for the resumption of matches and/or the impact of match cancellations/postponements on playoffs.

Best efforts will be made to accommodate all playoff events, including during the suspension period if/as necessary (and if/as allowed by state & local officials). To that end, teams with outside playoff commitments may petition to play on a case-by-case basis, assuming their facility, organizer, etc. permits. No RMR-controlled or sanctioned matches are to take place, and no playoff matches petitioned are guaranteed to be approved.

RMR organizers realize that teams may wish to train and practice. This is heavily discouraged but outside of Rocky Mountain Rugby's control. The lifting of the suspension period will go quicker if we all do our part to control the outbreak by limiting contact with others. Social distancing is one of the most effective methods of controlling the spread, and we encourage members to only engage in essential activities and limit social situations. If social distancing will affect your mental health, please be prepared and do not be discouraged from contacting a professional for help. Please, remember to wash your hands and follow the CDC's recommendations on matters such as cleaning and disinfection, etc.

When training and play resumes, please continue to follow control guidelines, such as not sharing water bottles, etc.

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What does this mean for my team?

League commissioners and administrators have been directed to develop contingency plans and work with other stakeholders in their areas/levels to determine the future course of each competition.

Rocky Mountain Rugby will make best efforts to provide a playable season for all who desire it, including a chance to move on to playoffs (if/when they occur). For example, if play resumes at the week before scheduled playoffs, and the playoffs aren't moved by their controlling body, RMR would theoretically make a best effort to put together some sort of knockout event featuring top teams who have/had a chance of continuing. Or, consider asking teams about mid-week matches in lieu of extra training.

If playoffs occur, it is our intent to allow our representatives to move forward based on whatever Spring competition is possible (with actual-to-date standings in mind), and not just send the Fall table leader.

If you have sunk costs for this weekend, or future weekends, that are difficult to unravel with your vendors or others, please have your team contact your league commissioner. Limited assistance may be available. If the season is not played, Rocky Mountain Rugby is also examining contingencies for possible partial refunds. Any/all funding will only be sent to teams and not individuals.

What about 7s? Or all-stars?

Due to the eve-changing nature of the situation, we cannot comment on either of these pathways at this time. Rocky Mountain Rugby remains committed to playing whatever rugby is possible within reasonable health guidelines, and future rugby events - particularly ones that involve travel to regions not yet affected - are impossible to predict at this time.

Should the suspension lift quickly, Rocky Mountain Rugby intends to resume whatever 7s and all-stars events are reasonable on the dates/locations intended. If you have a question, please ensure your team contacts its league commissioner.

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The Rocky Mountain Rugby Board of Directors will hold a call on Thursday, March 12, regarding the suspension of play due to COVID-19. Following this call, the Board will hold a call weekly and discuss the issue daily by email.

At this time, Rocky Mountain Rugby has not suspended play. However, it is likely to suspend play in the near future, and will send an announcement to the 30,000+ person RMR listserv at the time such a suspension is put in place.

RMR officials are working with outside entities regarding contingency planning for events later in the Spring/Summer/Fall and will include any information it has when play is suspended. Should play be suspended, a weekly email will also go out to the membership updating them on the status of the suspension.

Individual institutions and organizations may suspend activities before RMR does. If you know of a suspension that affects you, please contact your league commissioner.

Related: USA Rugby Statement on COVID-19