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Level 2 Return to Training

Junior Club Guide and Requirements

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Note - these guidelines apply to the Kumeu Junior Rugby Teams (J8 - J1 and Boys and Girls Rippa), for Senior team guidelines click here. 

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The New Zealand Rugby COVID-19 Level 2 Return to Training Requirements are extensive, comprehensive and apply to all of us here at Kumeu Rugby Club - players, coaches, managers, refs, administrators and ALL spectators.  To get our kids back on the field we have had to demonstrate to North Harbour Rugby, our commitment to these requirements and the safety and wellbeing of our members.

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As well as the guidelines below, key points to note are as follows;

  • The maximum number of people gathering around each full-sized rugby field must not exceed Government guidelines (100 people), including coaches, players and spectators and should not intermingle with any other training/game bubbles.

  • Individual Team training cannot proceed without the following requirements being in place at all times.

  • The clubrooms and tuck shop will operate differently under level 2 and we ask that you take care to follow the instructions provided.

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We require every stakeholder’s utmost commitment to the following guidelines and we expect that attendance at training is indicative of accepting in full, each of the following conditions as outlined by the New Zealand Rugby Union;

1. Player, Coach, Manager, Volunteer, Spectator Health on Training Days

Though we understand having one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have COVID-19e, you must not attend training at Kumeu Rugby Club if you have ANY of the following symptoms as per NZRU requirements;

  • a cough
  • a high temperature of at least 38°C
  • shortness of breath
  • sore throat
  • sneezing and runny nose
  • temporary loss of smell
Anyone exhibiting any of these symptoms will be directed to leave training and return home.



2. Training Bubbles

A training bubble is limited to your team unless prior permission is obtained from the Junior Committee to expand it. Each training bubble needs to stay within their allocated training space and time and equipment should not be shared between bubbles unless it has been cleaned as per the Equipment Hygiene guideline in this document. Participants should maintain physical distancing when not participating in a rugby training or game. This should be 1 metre in situations where contact tracing is in place and 2 metres where it is not.



3. Contact Tracing

Contact Tracing is mandatory for rugby clubs. The NZ Rugby Union recommends using the IDME app, which allows clubs to quickly and easily maintain records that are automatically deleted after 4 weeks. Each player and their accompanying parents/caretakers/siblings/friends will need to register. Your Team Manager and Coach will collect contact tracing details from you. If you do not want to use the IDME app, they can manually enter your details.



4. Equipment Hygiene

No equipment is to be shared between training bubbles. Coach/Manager to return sanitised tackle bags and hit shields to the equipment room, NOT players. Coaches or Manager will clean all equipment before and at the end of each practise this includes:

  • Balls
  • Cones
  • Rips and Belts (for ripper Grades)
  • Tackle bags and hit Shields

  • This season, team drink bottles will need to be labelled using tape with each players name and washed with disinfectant after each game. There is to be no communal sharing of water bottles. Players must bring their own drink bottles to training.

5. General Hygiene

Soap and water for handwashing are available in the downstairs toilets. Coach/Manager to oversee all players sanitising hands at the beginning and at the end of each practice. Sanitizer will be provided by the club and distributed to each team. We ask that players refrain from spitting on the fields and that personal playing gear is not shared. This includes rugby balls, mouthguards, headgear, clothing etc. If an injury is sustained during training, limit the number of attendees having contact with injured player and expedite safe treatment as necessary.



6. Contact During Training

Contact is allowed during training but should be minimised where not necessary. Coaches will be briefed on things to avoid, please follow their direction at all times.



7. Before and After Training

Players are asked to arrive at training ready to train and make their way to and from their allocated training space as quickly as possible, maintaining physical distancing of 2 meters until they reach their training bubble. Supporters must follow the usual personal hygiene measures such as avoid spitting and coughing, and cough into your elbow, and avoid touching your face. Avoid high traffic areas e.g. car parks, facilities, and entry/exit points. Move in and out of these areas quickly. Supporters and spectators must provide their contact details when requested for contact tracing purposes.



8. Personal Equipment

All players are to bring their own water bottle filled with water as there is no facility to get water at the club during training times. Players are to leave personal balls or equipment that have the potential to be shared at home.