On Monday, July 13, representatives from all of Wisconsin Girls’ Rugby’s teams met to finalize the schedule and to agree on return to play parameters.

The league used guidelines offered by USA Rugby and the WIAA (football) to create parameters that were slightly more stringent than those offered by either organization. The group agreed to meet again in early-September to determine if the season will run this fall and in late-October to determine the playoff format. Some final modifications to the schedule and “Return to Play” guidelines may be made at that time. The league is also working with teams to provide a $50 stipend for teams looking to purchase a forehead thermometer.

Because of the fluid nature of this pandemic, all plans are subject to change.

The league agreed to monitor any future decisions by the WIAA. If the WIAA cancels fall sports, the WGR will follow suit.

WGR RETURN TO PLAY GUIDELINES

Administrative 

  • Remotely hold the first meeting to explain guidelines, practice structure, and to explain the dangers of COVID-19. 
  • Make sure all players are well-versed in the COVID-19 symptoms and what they need to do if they or a person in their household has it. 
  • Avoid holding any meetings indoors. 
  • Do not hold additional social gatherings. 
  • Clearly identify one person that players report to if they have COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone who does. 
  • Consider having players sign a waiver acknowledging the risks of COVID-19. 
  • Make sure families/parents are aware of the “WGR Ready to Play” procedures. 
  • If your team is not affiliated with a local high school, select one and follow any additional guidelines they provide. 

Practices 

  • Keep attendance of everyone at practice each day.
  • Group your players into a cohort of no more than 10 people for drills involving contact of players or equipment. 
  • Keep the cohorts the same all season. 
  • There should be limited to no cross-contact between cohorts. 
  • Players should not carpool, but if necessary, they should carpool with someone in their cohort. 
  • Players should social distance when they are not in drills and as much as possible while in drills. 
  • Players are encouraged to wear masks when not in drills. 
  • Coaches are encouraged to wear masks at all times.
  • Players should pass a pre-screening, which may include temperature checks before each practice. 
  • Have hand sanitizer available at practice. 
  • Players should have their own water bottles. 
  • All handled balls/equipment should be sanitized (60% alcohol).
  • Non-contact (player/equipment) practices until August 3rd.

Game Day

  • Because of additional regulations by local school districts or health departments, the home team may require additional stipulations for game day safety. Home teams should give visiting teams 48-hours notice of these additional specifications. 
  • Spectators (and team benches) are expected to social distance and are encouraged to wear masks. 
  • There will be no handshakes or socials after the game. 
  • Fabric masks may be worn on the field. 
  • Players and coaches on the sidelines are encouraged to wear masks.
  • Players should have their own water bottles. Because of this, teams may work with the refs to provide an additional “official” water break. 

Return to Play 

  • Before each practice or match, players and coaches must pass a pre-screening test. The test may be a series of questions and a temperature check. 
  • Any one with a temperature of 100.4 or higher, or any has (or lives with someone who has) symptoms associated with COVID-19, such as shortness of breath, chills, cough, sore throat or new loss of taste or smell, should stay home. 
  • If exposure is detected, all team members must be notified. How to handle return to play in terms of testing and quarantine policies will be determined by the individual teams.  
  • Players may return after satisfying the following three events: 
    1. Symptom-free for three days,
    2. it’s been ten days since their first symptom, AND
    3. they have written medical clearance. 
  • Players must quarantine for 14 days before they are allowed to return to play if they themselves do not exhibit symptoms, but they live in a household where someone has symptoms or has tested positive.