TO: All Members of the Midwest Rugby Football Union

FROM: The Executive Committee of MWRFU

RE: Midwest Competitive Region / MWRFU Return To Competition (RTC)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

All,

As we all know too well, the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on our ability to play the game for which we have so much passion, has been more than devastating. The months of health care policy implemented across the country has already forced the cancellation of practices, matches, and the USAR National Championships, as well as reduced national registration contributing to the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy filing on April 1, 2020. In addition, our immediate future has been significantly impacted by each state’s “Reopening” policies, USAR Return To Play Policies, as well as our ensuing MWRFU Policies. We will all need to endure some restrictions, as well as extra precautionary measures just to get back on the pitch.

When the USAR R2P (Return To Play) Policies came out last week, we all anxiously awaited the next announcement about what our summer competitions might look like. That announcement was set to be communicated on June 1. Unfortunately, the announcement was not communicated. We can expect it to hit our email inboxes within 24-hours. 

The question we all will be really asking is,” What does this mean to me, my club, and competitions this summer?” In light of the uncertainty we have had to endure since March the MWRFU Executive Committee would like to communicate the outline of our MWRFU Policies for RTC (Return to Competition).  We have a conference call scheduled for all LAU Presidents this Thursday night to dive into the details, and expectations of each LAU and member club to get us back to competing across the Midwest.

KEY ISSUES:

1. The Accident Insurance component of our CIPP has been activated; however it does NOT cover COVID-19 issues.
2. The Liability Insurance provided by USAR does not cover COVID-19 related issues. Liability could fall to the lowest common denominator; that could be club officials and/or LAU Officers.
3. Each state has a different pace for R2P, especially for full contact sports and there are some interstate travel restrictions that will impact competitions.
4. The MWRFU has developed enhanced procedures and resources to help ensure compliance and reporting by all players and clubs to get back to full competition.

OUTLINE:

1. There will be no MWRFU 7s Series this summer .
2. There should be no tackling, rucks, or scrum practices until your state is in USAR Phase 5.
3. There is almost no chance of any competition anywhere in the Midwest until at least mid-August. The MWRFU RTC decision-matrix will guide the decision.
4. There is a chance that some areas of the Midwest will not have a full season in the Fall. The MWRFU RTC decision-matrix will guide the decision. 
5. Clubs must demonstrate compliance with MWRFU policies and procedures before they participate in sanctioned events. These procedures will include:
   1. Daily Self- Reporting of all players (days of participation only) – amended form from MWRFU;
   2. Recorded and reported through MWRFU Reporting System;
   3. Attestation of daily sanitary procedures;
   4. Documented practice plans with limited participants (per state guidance);
   5. Temperature check of all participants prior to engaging in practice;
   6. Public notice of club policies and procedures;
   7. Posted signs for the public requiring mitigation practices.

LAU Presidents will be more informed of the specific procedures after our call this Thursday. They will work with your clubs to help implement the policies and procedures for getting back to practice (RTP) and getting our competitions back online (RTC). 

Stay Safe and Stay Healthy, 

MWRFU Executive Committee