Hello Scottish,
We hope this email finds you all well and staying safe during this uncertain time.
We’d like to provide you an update on the Club’s pre-season training sessions and a summary of the latest message from Rugby Ontario (issued yesterday). Our utmost priority, remains the safety and well-being of everyone involved in our sport and throughout our rugby family.
As all school and city facilities continue to remain closed until at least the 6 April and the directive from Rugby Canada has not changed, that our sport remain under a nationwide suspension of all rugby activities; we can confirm the Club will not be resuming any rugby activities until the earliest date of 18 April.
Rugby Ontario’s update notes it has begun the process of reviewing the potential impact to rugby programming and the administration of our sport to ensure we are positioned to manage a variety of situations. Rugby Ontario is in regular contact with their partners Rugby Canada and all Provincial Unions. As new information becomes available they will be sure to share this with us in a timely manner.
The Club’s intentions remain on commencing our regular rugby activities as soon as it is safe to do so and with the permission of Rugby Canada. However, should the worse case scenario occur, full refunds will be processed for all members who have or will registered up until that point.
Given the constantly changing situation of COVID-19, please continue to listen to the advice of public health authorities and follow their guidance and directives. Let’s all continue to support those who need help. These measures, include asking people to self-isolate and practice physical distancing in order to help manage the spread of the virus. In the words of Dr Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada and head of the Public Health Agency of Canada – “we don’t just want to flatten the curve; we want to plank it”.
Your mental health is also of concern at this time of high uncertainty, worry and stress. It is important for all of us to acknowledge these impacts and to have an open dialogue about them. Please continue to explore various healthy coping strategies to maintain and support your mental health such as rest, recharge, and getting out for fresh air and exercise – mindful of keeping the safe recommended distance of two metres.
To help the rugby community through this unprecedented time, Rugby Ontario is working on various engagement initiatives and ways for people to interact and remain connected to rugby. Whether a club administrator attending one of our upcoming Growing the Game Workshops (via online webinar); a community coach accessing our Coaching Corner video resources; or staying up to date with the latest social content (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram), it is our plan to provide opportunities for people at all levels of the game to keep rugby in mind while staying active and informed.
Rugby Canada is also holding a free webinar series led by rugby experts across Canada – the details of which have been promoted today on social media.
Resources and Information Sources
Government of Canada – Public Health Agency of Canada
Sport Medicine Advisory Committee
Rugby Ontario – public statements and advisories
Take care of yourself, family and friends.
BSRFC Executive Board
