Marlow RFC prepare to hold first training session after social distancing restrictions are eased

Marlow RFC are set to hold their first training session with a small group of seniors on Tuesday evening (June 16), after government restrictions on social distancing were eased sufficiently.

An update from the club’s director of senior rugby, Simon Hammond, said that the country is now in ‘stage B’ of the RFU’s roadmap for the return of rugby. This allows for the club to bring together small groups while adhering to strict social distancing requirements.

Access to the car park and the grounds will be restricted between 6.45pm and 7.15pm to protect the players training and minimise the risk of infection. The meeting point for training will be the meadow to the right of the club car park as the pitches at Riverwoods are currently undergoing treatment at this time so can’t be used.

The name and contact details for every player will be taken at the start of each session to ensure the club conforms with COVID-19 traceability requirements. Training is limited to senior players over the age of 18, and any player exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms should stay away from the club.

At this time there is no access to the main clubhouse before, during or after training, and the toilets, showers and gym are also off limits in line with directives from the RFU. There will also be strict rules to ensure the club abides but social distancing requirements during the sessions.

These are: Groups of six players per quarter of the pitch, training limited to 60 players, all players will be asked to keep two metres apart at all times, hand sanitisers will be used before, during and after training and players will have to bring their own water.

“Senior players, we are almost there,” said Hammond. “I’m sure you are excited about being able to train twice a week together in groups. This is a massive step forward for us all. Please enjoy the new freedoms, but accept the rules.

“The hope is that we can move along the RFU Rugby Restart roadmap from B to C as quickly as possible and we all look forward to eventually being able to open up the club house and getting back to a better social level. I look forward to seeing you all at the beginning of this journey on Tuesday, June 16.”