There will be no league rugby for any of Spalding RFC’s teams this season after the Rugby Football Union moved to cancel the 2020/21 campaign.
Due to the Government’s additional lockdown measures following the increase of COVID-19 infection rates in locations across the country, as well as the concern around travelling to fulfil fixtures which may increase the risk of transmission, the decision has been made to now provide clubs with some certainty for the remainder of the season.
The RFU’s decision will affect level three and below for men and level three for women.
NCA Chairman John Inverdale has said: “The NCA executive had recommended this course of action and is relieved, albeit very reluctantly, that everyone operating at levels 3 and 4 now understands the situation.
“We are still very optimistic that some form of competitive rugby for NCA clubs this season will be proposed in the immediate future, to enable players, supporters and commercial partners, the opportunity to get back into the rugby environment.
“Talks are ongoing with the Government, and the NCA exec is doing everything possible to make sure that clubs at our level are able to plan for the next six months, from a rugby playing perspective, but also to enable clubs to reboot commercially.”
The RFU have been in daily contact with the Government about moving towards some form of contact rugby that will enable as many matches to take place as possible.
Steve Grainger, RFU Rugby Development Director, added: “We are very keen to see competitive rugby being played again and have been pushing extremely hard to accelerate a return to contact rugby.
“However, we also need to be realistic about the prevalence of COVID-19 cases in society and, given the introduction of further regional restrictions, we are working with the Government to create alternative solutions.
“Progress has been made following productive conversations with DCMS and the Office of the Deputy Chief Medical Officer who have shown a willingness to work with the RFU to explore other available options.”
Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “I know that the decision from the RFU will be disappointing to players and fans across the country however protecting people’s health is absolutely paramount.
“The government is continuing to work closely with the RFU on ways in which we can bring the competitive, community game back in some form ahead of a return to full contact as soon as the public health situation allows.”
Grainger continued: “While many people have looked forward to contact rugby returning, we are receiving more and more feedback from clubs and players that adaptations would be acceptable. There is an increasing appetite to play an adapted format of rugby rather than having no fixtures at all.
“We will do everything we can to enable the rugby community to return to contact play as soon as we can, but our priority is to keep players, coaches, referees and volunteers safe.
“We will provide an update to our community clubs as soon as we can. We would like to once again thank everyone for their incredible efforts in implementing the necessary changes and for their continued support in keeping formats of rugby going during this challenging season.”
