We have recently been notified that one of the players at the RFU Pitch Up for Rugby session on Sunday 13th September tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday 19th September.

This person participated in touch rugby games during the day and is part of the Colts team. As a precautionary measure we cancelled the Sunday 20th and Thursday 24th training sessions for his teammates, as many are at college together as well.

With regards to the playing activities, the RFU guidance is as follows:
In the case where a player tests positive, providing all rugby activities that the player participated in were within RFU ‘Return to Community Rugby’ and Stage D guidelines, then there is no requirement for any other players to self-isolate.

This is because the activity took place outside with hand and equipment sanitising regularly occurred. This was how Sunday’s event was held.

By way of a reminder, the current guidelines mean you are expected to do the following;

• Stay away if you have any COVID symptoms
• Have your temperature checked before you take part in rugby activity
• Stay socially distanced from others when you are not taking part in on pitch activity
• Sanitise your hands every 15 minutes
• At every break, the ball should be sanitised.
• During Touch, Ready4Rugby games the only contact is below the waist.
• If you have been send home from work or school and told to isolate, then DO NOT attend the rugby club until that period of time even if you have had a test which has come back as negative.

With regards to any off-pitch activity, the general Government guidance must be followed.
As a Club we have been in contact with Public health England and they are fully aware of the situation. Given the measures we have taken outside to provide space and route guidance to make SRFC COVID secure, there is a low risk of transmission between different groups who were just outside enjoying a drink and watching the games.

We would obviously recommend that if you were at the Club on that Sunday afternoon, you should monitor yourself and others in your household for COVID symptoms.

If you do develop any symptoms, or are in any doubt, you should follow the NHS and Government guidance on what to do: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

We assure you that Stourbridge Rugby Club is and will keep, following the most up-to-date guidance from both the RFU and Public Health England, whilst doing all it can to keep you and your families safe.