Effective February 15, 2021

Rev. 0 – Feb. 15, 2021

Download a PDF version here.

Eligible to Return to Play

Each institution will decide when it is safe for their students to return to contact sports. NCR does not endorse returning to contact prior to the approval from any team’s institution.

• Each team must follow all local ordinances regarding masking, social distancing, gathering limitations for indoor and outdoor events, and contact sport restrictions.

 

Return to Full Contact

Any extended period of time without consistent contact training will require an extended period of time to return safely to full competition.

1. Prior to returning to contact training, players must commit to individual fitness preparation even under social distancing/non-contact practice scenarios. This step is crucial to individual safety upon returning to game-like competition.
2. Teams returning to contact training should complete a minimum of six (6) full contact training sessions over the course of three (3) weeks to prepare for a game-like competition. Game-like competition includes intrasquad scrimmage or matches against other opponents.
3. Players who fail to complete a minimum six (6) full contact training sessions should not return to game-like competition until they complete at least six (6) practices.

 

Important Terms Defined in accordance with FDA

• Antigen Testing: Tests for proteins specific to the virus, which means it tests for active COVID-19 Results are usually available within 15 minutes after testing
• Mask: Be sure your mask or face covering covers both your mouth and nose at all times in accordance to CDC guidelines
• PCR Testing: Tests for the genetic material of the virus, meaning it can detect COVID-19 in asymptomatic patients. This is the “gold standard” of COVID-19 testing and results are usually available 3-5 days after testing. Some providers may return results sooner but need to be sought out.
• Social Distancing: Maintain at least 6 feet of space between all parties.
• Symptom Check: Please be conscious of any of the following symptoms within the week prior to engaging in any team events (including but not limited to practices, games, social events, etc.): Fever, Cough, Headaches, Fatigue, Muscle or body aches, Loss of taste, Loss of smell, Sore Throat, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea
• 24/48/72 hours: 1 day, 2 days, 3 days

 

Return to Play Protocol for Local Competition

Local competition is encouraged when it is determined to be safe by Institutional, Local, and State guidelines and ordinances. The NCR Return to Play (RTP) Protocol for players, coaches, referees, and fans should be applied and mutually agreed upon by each team participating in the competition so that expectations and protocols can be aligned and met by all parties involved. Results of regularities/irregularities of Daily Symptom Checks, Antigen Tests, and PCR tests should be submitted to the opponent(s) no later than 24 hours prior to the match kickoff.

Prior to any competition, NCR requests all competition hosts to complete the COVID-19 Competition Agreement (CCA) providing basic match information about the agreed upon RTP level between all competitors. The competition host will submit the CCA on the Thursday prior to the match or two (2) days prior to the competition, whichever is earlier: NCR COVID-19 Competition Agreement

 

Return to Play Protocol for NCR Regional and National Events 

NCR will require all teams participating in a National or Regional NCR Event to adhere to the same RTP Protocol Level for that event. Each event may have a separate RTP Protocol Level requirement independent of other NCR Events. RTP Protocol Level will be based on local, state, and regional health guidelines as well as participating teams’ institutional requirements. Announced RTP Protocol Level may change based on changing local and regional health conditions. Announced Events may be changed, relocated, postponed or cancelled based on changing local and regional health conditions. NCR will attempt to make initial RTP Protocol Level announcements at least 2 weeks ahead of its events.

• RTP Protocols Level Required as of March 1, 2021:
  • National NCR Events RTP Protocol: TBD
  • Regional NCR Events RTP Protocol: TBD

 

Actions After a Positive Test Result

Notify all stakeholders (institution, local public health, etc.), NCR Men’s or Women’s director, as well as all those in attendance of the event (teammates, coach, referee, opponents, medical staff) immediately after an athlete tests positive for COVID-19 so required quarantine, contract tracing, healthcare protocols and other actions can be implemented. It is important to note that providing the name of the positive student athlete(s) is not necessary, in accordance with HIPAA regulations.

• Men’s Director Steve Hiatt: hiatt@ncr.rugby
• Women’s Director Angela Smarto: smarto@ncr.rugby

 

Resuming Athletics Post Positive COVID-19 Infection

Individuals may react differently upon recovery from a COVID-19 illness. Some athletes may take longer than others to return to athletic activity. It is important the player feels healthy enough to resume athletic participation. The player must understand the personal risks before resuming any athletic activity. All athletes recovering from a COVID-19 illness should consult their physicians, institutional medical department, or other medical professionals for specific RTP guidance after recovering from COVID-19.

 

Accounting for Vaccination

NCR encourages early and widespread adoption of all available FDA approved COVID-19 vaccines. At this time, proof of vaccination does not excuse any individual from following NCR protocol. Proof of Vaccination must be provided with all test results. Masks must still be worn when applicable by vaccinated participants.

 

National Collegiate Rugby Return to Play Player Protocol 

	Week leading to match	Day of Match	Days following Match
Level 1	Daily Symptom Checklist 48 hours and 24 hours leading to day of match Report irregularities immediately	Daily Symptom Checklist 2 hours prior to kick off Report irregularities immediately Traveling team complete check before leaving for event	Daily Symptom Checklist 24 hours and 48 hours after day of match Report irregularities immediately Report positive cases to the opponent up until 7 days after the match
Level 2	Daily Symptom Checklist 72 hours, 48 hours, and 24 hours leading to day of match Report irregularities immediately PCR Test within 72 hours of Departure	Daily Symptom Checklist 2 hours prior to kick off Report irregularities immediately Traveling team complete check before leaving for event	Daily Symptom Checklist 24 hours and 48 hours after day of match Report irregularities immediately Report positive cases to the opponent up until 7 days after the match
Level 3	Daily Symptom Checklist 72 hours, 48 hours, and 24 hours leading to day of match Report irregularities immediately PCR Test within 72 hours of Departure Regular (1x-3x) Antigen Testing 7 days leading to day of match	Daily Symptom Checklist 2 hours prior to kick off Report irregularities immediately Traveling team complete check before leaving for event	Daily Symptom Checklist 24 hours and 48 hours after day of match Report irregularities immediately Report positive cases to the opponent up until 7 days after the match
Level 4	Daily Symptom Checklist 72 hours, 48 hours, and 24 hours leading to day of match Report irregularities immediately PCR Test within 48 hours of Match Daily Antigen Testing 7 days leading to day of the match	Daily Symptom Checklist 24 hours prior to kick off Report irregularities immediately Traveling team complete check before leaving for event	Daily Symptom Checklist 24 hours and 48 hours after day of match Report irregularities immediately Report positive cases to the opponent up until 7 days after the match

 

National Collegiate Rugby Return to Play Participant Protocol

Masks are required to be worn by all coaches, referees, fans, and medical staff. Social distance practices are required by all players, coaches, referees, fans, and medical staff while on match grounds.
Players & Coaches	See RTP Protocol Level for all appropriate regulations Upon arrival to pitch, remain in designated areas not interacting with opponent, referee, or fan During match, team and coach will remain in technical zone
Referees	Self monitor Daily Symptom Checklist in accordance with agreed upon Protocol Level of competing teams Report irregularities immediately Testing is not required unless requested by match host Upon arrival to pitch, remain separate from designated team areas Bring own water bottle
Medical Staff	Self monitor Daily Symptom Checklist in accordance with agreed upon Protocol Level of competing teams Report irregularities immediately Testing is not required unless request by match host Wear PPE at all times
Fans	Fan attendance is deemed by local ordinance on mass gatherings for sporting events If attendance acceptable, all fans should Self monitor Daily Symptom Checklist 48 hours and 24 hours leading to day of match If irregular, do not attend match and seek medical attention Watch match from opposite side of field of teams’ areas If unmanageable, teams and spectators must be separated by barrier e.g. rope, fence Fans should remain in traveling pod and 6 feet socially distanced from other fans traveling separately

 

 Ideas for Team Engagement during Varied Competition Allowances

Competition Permitted	Ideas for season planning
Full remote learning: No students on campus	Regular Zoom sessions for rugby activities: team fitness, watching film, team building meeting Regular Zoom sessions for fun: Team movie night, gaming tournament, study sessions/tutoring Social media campaigns: teammate story takeover, meet a player, celebrate player birthdays Focus on mobility and flexibility exercises Continue recruiting efforts
Students on campus but no team meetings/trainings permitted	Same as above Continue to post flyers inviting new players to regular Zoom meetings with QR codes to give direct links to team information
Non-Contact training only	Focus on mobility and flexibility exercises Focus on building non-contact skills Rugby focused fitness Touch/flag rugby tournaments
Contact practice & intrasquad scrimmages allowed	Continue to regular training For scrimmages, make teams the same week to week and build some intrasquad rivalry
Can play only away matches	Organize with other teams to play at neutral sites or their campuses Consider CDC travel recommendations Submit match details to NCR COVID-19 CompetitionRegistry
Permitted to play and travel with institution approval	Continue with regular season planning Consider CDC travel recommendations Submit match details to NCR COVID-19 CompetitionRegistry