In areas where play is allowed, clubs may schedule their own matches (“friendlies”) but there will be no league matches or schedules. MAC 15s scheduling work is planned to resume in mid-May for the Fall. The MAC 7s Committee will be looking at the options as we approach summer.

About a month or two ago, we indicated that if we couldn’t play by 09/15/2020 the MAC season would be officially postponed…and it is. This isn’t a surprise to anyone, though.

As soon as we can begin a return to full contact practice and play WITH approval from Capital and the EPRU, the MAC reps will re-configure the schedules for – we hope – Spring 2021.

[Most of the leagues are specific to one GU, with the exception of D1M and D1W. However, there are also inter-state and intra-state issues that must considered before Capital and the EPRU can allow play.]

This is ONLY applicable for MAC play and NOT for friendlies (regional 15s, 7s, Touch):

• Any play/practice (MAC or friendly) is pending GU sanctioning a return to play
• MAC league play is postponed until further notice
  • No league matches in September
• MAC, Capital, and EPRU will reevaluate on September 15 for October play
• Registration is not required until practices begin
• If play is opened up, we will have a three-week buffer for practices before games begin
• If a decision cannot be made on September 15, the Fall Season will be cancelled
• Conferences MAY cancel now and postpone until March

We are still under a suspension of play status. Both the Capital Rugby Union and the EPRU are not allowing game play – based on the various state guidelines – under further notice.

The coordinators are preparing schedules to begin play at some point. However, keep in mind that there will need to be a 3-week period of practice before games start.

USAR statement saying that the 2020 National 7s Championship will be cancelled (link).

The MAC 7s Committee is under discussion about a possible event or events. It is still too soon to see what clubs across the region (VA, DC, MD, PA) may be able to do. There may be other non-MAC events, but those are under the purview of the GUs or other groups.

However, USAR added (in their draft) the following: “Moving forward, as the sevens rugby season gets underway, teams and clubs are permitted to engage in local sevens activities in line with permission of local health officials and guided by the USA Rugby Return To Play Guidelines. While potential versions of play might be acceptable through the summer, no sanctioned national championship will occur.”

The key here is “…teams and clubs are permitted to engage in local sevens activities in line with permission of local health officials and guided by the USA Rugby Return to Play Guidelines.” Therefore, you must comply with both local guidelines and the specifics of USAR’s Return to Play. There are a lot of things to do in the latter, so read it.

Additionally, keep in mind that local health officials will follow their governor’s orders and others. Additionally, local parks and recs folks may opt for tighter restrictions and reservations may not be possible.

As an example: Virginia will be mostly moving to Phase 2 on Friday (with the notable exception of Richmond and Northern Virginia who will remain in Phase 1 for a bit longer). This will now allow gatherings of up to 50. BUT… that does not clear you from following USAR’s Return to Play Guidelines (as well as getting field permits).

Therefore, let’s be clear: As mentioned at some point in the last month, we are NOT going to tell you not to practice or play. However, you must comply with the above (as stated by USAR) AND can show proof of compliance (forms, etc.), you don’t have USAR liability coverage. No coverage. Zero.

The bottom line: if you choose to go practice and play, assign responsible people in your club to track all of the needed items (like player verifications).

The MAC Committee met tand discussed both 7s and 15s.

---

7s

As most of you know, USAR will announce something around June 1. IF we get an “all clear” by USAR, we still have a number of other bodies that must do similarly: the states, the localities, and local Parks and Rec (to re-open fields to contact sports). Assuming 7s can start, there will likely be a compressed schedule of 1 or 2 MAC events (and there might be other local events, of course).

---

15s

Teams will be contacted over the next week about Fall scheduling.

The draft schedules should be completed by your coordinator by June 15, checked with that division’s teams, and set by June 30.

Although we will use the tacit assumption of starting as normal, we STILL may have the re-opening issue that we have with 7s. We need to allow for maximum flexibility if (a) we can’t start on time OR (b) play gets held up AFTER we’ve started because of a second (or third) virus wave. Flexibility means sliding weekends if suspension of play happens. We also must consider a few (2-3) weeks of pre-season practice. Thus, we will ask that no “bye” weekends be requested unless there is no option; each division may reserve a weekend or two for everyone in that division (as both a bye weekend and a makeup slot).

We WILL plan on MAC Championships – for the divisions that play semis and a final – on May 1, 2021.

We do NOT know about USAR Championships yet; the new USAR bylaws and structure were just approved last weekend (Sat, May 9) and the new USAR Senior Club Community group will be reforming the Competitions Committee. There are other discussions going on to try to get playoff rounds closer (regionally) but all of this will take a while to work out… as well as a change in the Competitions software for rosters and match reporting. This will be a busy summer.

General procedures across divisions (and genders) are posted under… Procedures. Please follow, as always.

For Immediate Release
August 14, 2013
BOULDER, Colo. – USA

Rugby has launched a new concussion initiative and policy which emphasizes player welfare and safety as a top priority. The organization's emphasis onsafety is especially true with concussions and head injuries. USA Rugby’s concussion policy is intended to follow the International Rugby Board’s Regulation 10, and follows the “5 Rs” of concussion awareness: Recognize, Remove, Refer, Recover and
Return.

Official USA Rugby Concussion Policy

As part of the USA Rugby policy in accordance with IRB regulations, if a player has suffered a concussion or a suspected concussion, he or she must be immediately removed from play. The player should then be referred to and evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional to determine if the athlete has sustained a concussion. It is imperative that the athlete does not return to play until he or she is symptom-free and has been cleared for return to play by a qualified healthcare professional. USA Rugby strongly recommends that the player complete the GRTP (Graduated Return To Play) procedureprior to return
to full play and competition.

Know the 5 Rs
USA Rugby’s policy requires that ALL rugby players, staff, parents, referees, volunteers, and even fans follow these five basic steps when dealing with suspected concussions:
1. Recognize–
Learn the signs and symptoms of a concussion so you understand when an athlete might have a suspected concussion.
2. Remove– If an athlete has a concussion or even a suspected concussion he or she must be
removed from play immediately.
3. Refer – Once removed from play, the player should be referred immediately to a qualified healthcare professional who is trained in evaluating and treating concussions.
4. Recover– Full recovery from the concussion is
required before return to play is authorized. This includes being symptom-free. Rest and some specific treatment options are critical for the health of the injured participant.
5. Return – In order for safe return to play in rugby, the athlete must be symptom-free and cleared in writing by a qualified healthcare professional who is trained in evaluating
and treating concussions. USA Rugby strongly recommends that the athlete complete the GRTP (Graduated Return to Play) protocol.

For more information, and concussion education and resources visit www.usarugby.org/concussions

###

Further Information:
Laura Gill | Communications Manager | USA Rugby | lgill@usarugby.org
USA Rugby | 2500 Arapahoe Avenue, #200 | Boulder, CO | 80302

The new membership cycle takes effect August 15, 2013, through August 31, 2014.

To register for any role with USA Rugby go to www.usarugby.org and click on the red REGISTER button at the top of the screen.

Benefits & Improvements
NEW Member Center user experience with enhanced “View Roster” and “Member Search” tools and navigation
Continuation of our popular participant accident insurance program
Returning member information has been automatically transferred to make renewals easier

Membership Renewals
Renewing members will need to log on to complete registration
For security purposes, your email address is your user name and you will need to request a new password the first time you sign on

Membership Means Insurance!
Nationwide Insurance will continue to carry USA Rugby’s accident insurance policy. The new policy for the 2013-2014 membership cycle takes effect September 1, 2013
The policy covers only registered members who are participating in sanctioned USA Rugby activities
USA Rugby strongly recommends that all members retain primary medical coverage before participating this season. The new deductible for uninsured members is $3,500
Please visit http://www.usarugby.org/insurance/accident-insurance/accident-overview for more details about USA Rugby’s insurance policy

Tournament Sanctioning: Growing the Game!
USA Rugby continues to require a formal sanctioning agreement for all tournaments and events outside of regular season play and practice. For a complete list of sanctioned tournaments and the breakdown of the process, please go to http://www.usarugby.org/event-sanctioning.

USA Rugby Coach Development: Give back to the Game!
USA Rugby is leading American sports in Coach Development. We are now officially certifying all rugby coaches, partnering with the top coaching education programs in the country and focusing on player welfare more than ever before. Make sure you register early. Certification and background screening completion will be required before activation of any coach registration.

Further Information:
Lucy Zugschwert | Membership Manager | USA Rugby | membership@usarugby.org