Return to Rugby!

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Crouch Bind Set!

Last Tuesday the provincial government announced it is lifting many restrictions on outdoor team sport starting on May 30 allowing it to return in Phase 1 of the Re-Opening Road Map. The current restrictions on indoor sport and outdoor individual sport will remain in place until June 20 when the province reaches Step 2 in the Re-Opening Saskatchewan plan.

Please note that although restrictions have been lessened, It is important that we all continue to follow our guidelines and procedures in place to mitigate the risk and provide a safe environment for all participants.  Member organizations needs to use its best judgement and can also go above and beyond what is required in the government guidelines.

It is our sport’s time to show the rest of Saskatchewan that Rugby is safe, we have an excellent Return to Play plan and our members are the experts in our sport and can effectively manage the safe return of rugby in our communities while keeping everyone participating safe.

All 3 parts of our Return to Rugby Plan remains in place: Preparing to Return (including sanctioning process), Managing Return and Ensuring Safe Return.

Sask Rugby in line with Rugby Canada and World Rugby requires a 6 week progression of contact training be made available by each member club prior to participation in any full contact rugby competition. This is to allow all clubs time to follow the guidelines laid out by the World Rugby document linked below.

Beginning May 30, 2021 competition and game play for outdoor team sport can proceed with the following requirements:

  • Participants may not compete if they are feeling unwell.
  • Players and Coaches will be screened for Covid 19 Symptoms prior to arriving at practise and games, using the online Sportlomo system.
  • League play is allowed to resume; however, tournaments are not permitted at this time.
  • No interprovincial travel, teams competing in regional interprovincial leagues need to contact the Business Response Team prior to beginning play.
  • Capacity must be in compliance with the public health orders for public outdoor gatherings for each playing surface or game area. Public outdoor gatherings are set to expand to a limit of 150 people on May 30th as part of the Re-Opening Roadmap.
  • Water bottles should not be shared, when balls and pads are shared, cleaning and disinfecting must occur between use
  • Commonly touched equipment used for game play (eg Match Balls) is routinely replaced or disinfected during the course of practise or play
  • Coaches, officials, and players who are not on the field are not required to wear masks outdoors under the public health order. However masks may be worn if they are more comfortable with that layer of protection.
  • No shaking hands, high-fives, etc
  • Spectators not from the same household should maintain two meters physical distancing.
  • Spectators must remain in the designated areas. Masks are not required to be worn outdoors under the public health order but they may be worn if spectators are more comfortable with layer of protection.
  • Hand Sanitizers approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN) or soap and water handwashing stations should be available for participants and spectators.
  • Public washrooms, when available, are cleaned and disinfected regularly, and soap and water or hand sanitizer is available.
  • Daily Attestations and Attendance tracking for coaches, officials and players should be maintained within SportLomo to assist with contact tracing for 30 days in case of a confirmed case of COVID-19.

There are some great resources available to help clubs manage both the physical and mental aspect of returning to contact rugby.  World Rugby Resource  and Coach Association of Canada through The Locker Leading Return to Sport ELearning HERE.

For more information on Saskatchewan Rugby’s Return to Play visit  https://www.saskrugby.com/rtpadmin/ and if you have any questions please contact our Covid Manager Sena Debia, covidmanager@saskrugby.com.

I wish all of you a safe and enjoyable return to rugby in Saskatchewan!

Jordan Astrope

Executive Director

2021 AGM

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Sask Rugby’s 2021 Annual General Meeting date is set for Tuesday, Mar 30, 7:00PM via Zoom. Call for nominations to the board and other meeting agenda items can be sent to jastrope@saskrugby.com. 

At this meeting the membership will ratify boards and committees with a vote, approve any changes to policy or documents, and discuss any relevant issues brought forward. Sask Rugby encourages representatives from all clubs and community programs to send a representative. Meeting minutes, including any documents discussed, will be available on our website. 

Follow the link below to register and receive the meeting agenda. 

You are invited to a Zoom meeting. 

When: Mar 30, 2021 07:00 PM Saskatchewan 

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvduqhrjkoHNY7zqkV-TkLPGDTDXh5spKc 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Coast to Coast Rugby Coaching Conference

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Sask Rugby is proud to partner with our other provincial unions to provide the Coast to Coast Connecting the Country: Rugby Conference running virtually March 27th to 29th, 2021. The Coast to Coast Coaching Conference will target the existing rugby coach community in Canada, including those coaching at clubs, schools, universities, and high performance environments. The full speaker list and poster and available below.

The conference will take participants through a ‘week in rugby’, where they will interact with experienced community and professional coaches, academics, and those with lived experience in sport. It will serve as an opportunity for participants to listen to and interact with local and international experts at the heart of developing sport. Conference registration is $35, with each registration fee including a $5 donation to the Monty Heald Women’s National Fund. 

Anyone who registered as a rugby coach in Saskatchewan in 2019 or 2020 is eligible to have their registration fees covered by Sask Rugby. Contact memberservices@saskrugby.com for details on this program.

Register here!

2020 Sask Rugby Raffle Winner

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Thank you to everyone who supported Sask Rugby’s 3rd annual youth rugby fundraiser! In total there were 462 tickets sold and $1,110.00 raised, making this our largest 50/50 raffle to date. 

Sask Rugby would like to congratulate Jared Goosen, winner of half of the pot for a prize of $555.

Thank you again to everyone who bought tickets and shared the raffle, keep your eyes out for our 2021 raffle announcement coming soon!

2021 Saskatchewan Summer Games Cancelled

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As of December 21, 2020, the 2021 Saskatchewan Summer Games are officially cancelled. This is following the earlier postponement from July 26 – August 1, 2020 to the summer of 2021. The decision to cancel the Games was made to protect the health and safety of athletes, volunteers, spectators, event staff, and residents of Lloydminster from the continued threat of COVID-19. These Games would have marked Rugby Sevens debut in the competition.

From the Saskatchewan Games Council media release:  “Following the cancellation of these Games, the event will return to its quadrennial cycle, with the next Summer Games taking place in 2024. Saskatchewan Games host communities are typically awarded through a bid process, but due to circumstances surrounding the cancellation of the 2021 Summer Games, the Saskatchewan Games Council will provide the city of Lloydminster the right of first refusal to host the 2024 Saskatchewan Summer Games.”

 

Saskatchewan Rugby supports this decision and will continue to develop and train our athletes, coaches, and managers for the 2024 Games. Athletes with questions about how this will affect their eligibility to compete at the Sask Summer Games are encouraged to review the Cancellation Q&A file below. Updates and information regarding the cancelled 2021 Games are available at the Sask Summer Games and Sask Rugby websites.

See below links for additional information:

Media Release: 2021 Saskatchewan Summer Games Called Off Due to Health and Safety Concerns

2021 Saskatchewan Summer Games: Cancellation Q&A

Rugby is Returning to Saskatchewan

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As of September 1st, Saskatchewan has 5 clubs delivering rugby in the province! During this gradual return to sport Sask Rugby wants to recognize and congratulate clubs – and sub-unions – that have completed sanctioning requirements in order to deliver the game we love in a safe and fun environment. To all our registered clubs who were unable to deliver rugby this season, we thank you for all your work to sustain the rugby community and hope to see you on the pitch next season.

MacDowell Rugby Academy, Regina

MacDowellRugby is a Canadian rugby academy and mentorship program focused on developing high performance rugby athletes. We are open to any skill level from beginner to experienced!  During the academy sessions, you will be provided with the opportunity to gain knowledge and ask questions of our position-specific coaches who will be available throughout the length of the program. Our specialist coaches work in one-on-one and mini-unit situations with the players, so you have the opportunity to observe and interact with these position specific specialists during this time. There will be a focus on problem solving in different game situations. You will discover the intricate details of each playing position and the various roles, responsibilities, skills, techniques, and physical and mental attributes that players require to play at the highest level.

Check out their Facebook and website here

Sundays 1:00-2:30PM, September 13 to October 25

Regina Rugby Fields (4025 25th Ave), Regina SK

Regina Minor Rugby, Regina

Regina Minor Rugby is back! After we had to cancel our spring sessions for the high school boys and for our minis, we knew that we had to do everything we could to get going in the fall again. Our goal this year was to keep the costs as low as we could, encourage kids to come out and remember how much they love rugby! Regina Minor Rugby always wants to grow the sport of rugby in Regina and we are proud to say that we have 40+ kids aged 4 to 14 joining us on Sunday afternoons at the RRU. We are doing skill based training with the kids, while limiting contact to the best of our ability!

Check out their Facebook and website here

Sundays 3:30-5:30PM, August 30 to October 4

Regina Rugby Fields (4025 25th Ave), Regina SK

Gophers RFC, Saskatoon

Gophers Rugby is happy to announce that we have been sanctioned to return to play. We are now able to resume official rugby activities in line with Saskatchewan Rugby’s Return to Play Plan and our own COVID-19 safety protocols. Training sessions will be resuming shortly at the Saskatoon Rugby Fields (134 English Crescent). Individuals must be registered with Rugby Canada to participate in training. Information on training times can be found on our website (http://saskatoongophersrugby.com/) or Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/SaskatoonGophersRugby/)

About Us: Founded in 1968, the Gophers Rugby Club has a long tradition in Saskatoon of combining serious rugby with a strong social atmosphere. We pride ourselves on being a family, albeit one that also likes to play rugby. Rugby is a game of teamwork, determination, and respect. As a club, we seek to embody these values off the field as well by creating a strong and supportive network of individuals that extends far beyond the chalked lines of the pitch.

Please contact the club to get details on how to register and the specific protocols that the club is taking to combat COVID-19. Our club email is gophersrfc@gmail.com.

Check out their Facebook and website here

Moose Jaw RFC, Moose Jaw

Returning to the rugby scene in full force, Moose Jaw RFC has men’s and women’s programs for all skill levels. While their 2020 season has come to a close, they are already preparing for a 2021 spring season.

Check them out on Facebook here

Rage, Regina

The Regina Rage was created in 2009 with the goal is to promote and help foster the growth of women’s rugby within Regina and Saskatchewan. The club is open to any women who are interested in trying out the sport. While their 2020 season has come to a close, they are already preparing for a 2021 spring season.

Check them out on Facebook and Instagram (@reginaragerugby)

COVID-19 Update on Rugby Activities in Saskatchewan

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* The original post has been updated to reflect the new date that has come down from Rugby Canada**

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date Issued: March 13, 2020

Dear Member Club Presidents & Representatives,

Saskatchewan Rugby has been closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. We wish to acknowledge the growing concern presented by the spread of COVID-19 and increasing reports of community impact here in Canada.

Saskatchewan Rugby will be suspending all sanctioned rugby activities from March 14th until April 10th, 2020 as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19.  We will monitor the situation at that time and with all updated information available through the relevant governing bodies and public health agencies, we will be able to make further decisions moving forward.

“Saskatchewan Rugby’s number one goal is the Safety of our Athletes, and our Volunteers, and we support this suspension with the hopes of light at the end of the tunnel.” Said President Damon Leonard.  “Rugby is a family, and this is a time to not only take care of that family but ourselves. We know the Rugby community will find creative ways to interact and grow community and knowledge over the next several weeks. Be resilient and support each other however you can. Be safe out there, take care, if you need anything don’t hesitate to reach out”.

As a respiratory illness, the best method to protect yourself against COVID-19 is to practice everyday preventative actions, which include:

  • Practice proper cough and sneezing etiquette (into the bend in your elbow);
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;
  • Maintain safe food practices;
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick; and
  • If you are sick, stay home.

If you have symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath or have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, stay home and call the Saskatchewan HealthLine (811). If you are not seriously ill, it is recommended you do not go to a physician’s office, a health care facility or a lab without consulting with the HealthLine first. If you are severely ill, call 911 or seek medical attention immediately.

If you desire additional information pertaining to Novel Coronavirus – COVID-19 – the following websites are good sources to use.

Board of Directors for 2019-2020 Season

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Following the Sask Rugby AGM, as well as the AGMs for the NSRU and the RRU, we are happy to announce the Board of Directors for the 2019-2020 year.

President

Damon Leonard

VP Finance

Nathan Adams

VP Women

McKenzie Eckart

VP Men

Brennan Marcoux

VP Junior 

Jessica Berre

VP Minor 

Alex Rojas

VP Marketing

Jamie Lammerding

VP Coaching

Brennan Marcoux

SRRS President

Janet Marcoux

RRU President

Nathan Sgrazzutti

 

2019 Award Winners!

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RECAP: U18 Westerns in Regina

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Another Year Of U18 Is In The Books

Men’s and women’s teams from Alberta, Manitoba, BC and Saskatchewan were in Regina to compete in the U18 Western Championships of the August long weekend. 

On the men’s side, BC18 took gold with a 19-5 victory over Alberta Black. Meanwhile in an all-Alberta final on the women’s side, Alberta Black defeated Alberta White 27-12 to claim the top spot.

Bronze medals were awarded to Alberta White for their 12-5 victory over BC17 in men’s action, and women’s action saw BC18 shutout their fellow BC17 team 22-0.

Thanks to all of our volunteers and our sponsors for helping to make this event so successful.