LAST UPDATED | SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

The current nature of COVID-19 is an ever-changing situation here in the United States. Please refer to this page for the most up to date USA Rugby information and resources as the situation continues to unfold. Understand that USA Rugby is monitoring the growing threat on a daily basis, while the Medical Committee is also coordinating best practice with the Center for Disease Control (CDC), United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and World Rugby.

The impact of the virus has expanded beyond imaginable expectation with canceled activities across a domestic, national and global scale. USA Rugby is currently absorbing what impact that means for the rugby community, both now and in the future. We ask all members and fans for their patience and support as rugby navigates this unprecedented period in history.

If you have specific questions the below information does not answer, please email inquiries to membership@usa.rugby

USA RUGBY COMPETITION MANDATE

All sanctioned competition and rugby activities are subject to local health restrictions and reference of the USA Rugby Return To Play Guidelines. Members and clubs are asked to refrain from match play, training or team gatherings during this period. Accident and Liability claims will not be accepted during the above window of time. Information on when rugby activities will potentially be able to resume will be communicated by USA Rugby before June 1.

RETURN TO PLAY

This information is a proposed framework for USA Rugby Clubs and Members to reference as they determine potential return to play plans amidst the COVID-19 climate. The collective information is in reference to general protocol offered by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Rugby and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC); tailored to the common activities of USA Rugby Members.

It is important to understand that the following outline is not official medical advice, whereby your club and athletes should more definitively refer to the instruction of your local health officials when determining a return to play calendar. Given the close contact nature of rugby, it is important to note that our sport lives beyond most when it comes to the threat of spreading respiratory diseases. The collective rugby community must remain patient and considerate through this process.

While we are all eager to return to rugby, the wellbeing of our friends, family and teammates must remain priority. It is on all of us to acknowledge responsibility and do our part to combat the spread of COVID-19.

MORE RETURN TO PLAY RESOURCES

WORLD RUGBY RETURN TO PLAY GUIDELINES

WORLD RUGBY COACH AND ADMINISTRATOR COVID-19 COURSES

UNITED STATES OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE RETURN TO TRAINING AND EVENT PLANNING

USA RUGBY EVENT STATUS

Domestic Events | Youth, College, Senior Club

2020 USA Rugby Regional Cup Tournaments | Canceled

2020 USA Rugby Spring College Championships | Canceled

2020 USA Rugby College 7s National Championships | Canceled

2020 Men’s D1A National Championship | Canceled

2020 Women’s D1 Elite National Championship | Canceled

2020 NSCRO Men’s and Women’s Spring Championships | Canceled

2020 USA Rugby Club Championships XVs (May 2020) | Canceled

2020 Club 7s National Championships (Aug 2020) |Canceled

International Events | USA Eagles XVs & 7s

2021 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series | Dubai and Cape Town Canceled

USA Women’s Eagles XV v Barbarians F.C. (May 2020) | Postponed (TBD)

2020 Men’s U20s ARC (June 2020) | Canceled

2020 USA Rugby Summer Series | Postponed (TBD)

2020 Americas Rugby Championship (Aug 2020) | Canceled

2020 Summer Olympic Games, Tokyo | Postponed (July 2021)

USA RUGBY REORGANIZATION

The Reorganization Task Force continues to operate in tandem with a Governance Reorganization Group on a remote basis through the COVID-19 pandemic. All members and operation have understandably been impacted by measures taken to combat the spread of the virus, therefore possible delays in the timeline are being accounted for. Updates and information will continue to be communicated by the Governance Reorganization Group and USA Rugby.

On May 9th, the USA Rugby Board and Congress ratified new governance bylaws. Read a brief recap of the updates and further governance reform info HERE.

National Councils have been established across the Youth & High School, College, Senior Club and International Athlete communities. These councils are currently in negotiation with USA Rugby over membership services to be finalized ahead of the 2020-21 Membership season starting on September 1, 2020.

USA RUGBY ECONOMIC IMPACT

International and domestic competition continues to absorb the impact of cancelation and postponement, both through membership and other revenue streams. On March 30, it was announced that USA Rugby would file Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to the lost revenue compounded with the 2019 financial deficit. Under the supervision of the court, the USA Rugby Board, Governance Restructuring Group and community stakeholders will now work on a new operational and financial structure with plans on addressing current debt. That new structure will be presented and then approved or denied by the Court and USA Rugby creditors.

OPERATIONS: NATIONAL TEAMS AND HEADQUARTERS

The USA Eagles National Teams, both XVs & 7s, are similarly observing the hiatus of group activities in residency and their respective competitions. The Elite Athlete Training Center in Chula Vista remains open to individual outdoor training; however all communal areas are closed for the foreseeable future. Coaches and staff across all programs are in close contact and providing curriculum for athletes to keep in regimen, tailored to the guidance of health officials.

Follow along with USA Rugby Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates and check-ins with the USA Eagles as their journey continues.

WORKOUT WITH THE EAGLES

The USA Eagles are each week leading virtual workout classes in support of COVID-19 relief. See the workout schedule here and remember to donate at anytime.

Operations at the USA Rugby National Office have followed state and federal guidance by moving workstations home. Administrative operations continue remotely during this period, members are still encouraged to engage and communicate with USA Rugby Headquarters for their needs and requests.

All members are highly encouraged to follow instructions provided by the CDC on how to prevent the spread of any and all acute respiratory infections. That information can be found HERE.