Back on the Pitches
Rugby union club pitches across the country are open again for training thanks to the Government’s latest lockdown easing.
Community rugby club volunteers are out nationwide checking the posts and ensuring pitches are in good shape, mowing the grass and marking out training areas and safety zones.
Everyone is being urged to follow the Chief Medical Officer’s advice of aiming for at least an hour’s weekly physical activity for children and two and a half hours for adults.
Youngsters, in particular, are excited at the prospect of being back with their team mates and many elite athletes have joined the Government in urging the country to get out and get active as outdoor sports restart.
England Rugby’s Kyle Sinckler said: “I can’t wait to see all the kids getting back out there to enjoy themselves. That’s what it’s about at the end of the day, grassroots rugby, everyone enjoying themselves.”
Said Rugby Football Union Chief Executive Bill Sweeney: “I have been truly inspired by the spirit of rugby clubs helping their local communities and those in need, and now I’m delighted that players can return to the pitches and their clubs. Whether it is in Yorkshire, in Lancashire, Surrey or wherever, the values are the same, the atmosphere is the same and the spirit is the same. The commitment and the passion that goes into it and what that does for a community clearly shows the values that exist in our game.”
Rugby Development Director Steve Grainger added: “Our community clubs have been particularly resolute in maintaining a safe environment when it has been possible to have players on the pitches. They will continue to follow Government guidelines, while bringing back sport, which is absolutely vital for people’s physical and mental health, both of which have never been more critical than at the moment.”
At Penrith RUFC their President Charles Graves said: “We are expecting big demand on both our RFU AGP pitch and our grass pitches. Our members, particularly our more than 250 younger players, can’t wait to get back to rugby and the managers and coaches are desperate to see them back at the club. It’s a case of winding up at a time of year when we would normally be winding down but everyone is champing at the bit!”
When all that was available over recent weeks was virtual fitness, seeing pitches reopen safely will set the nation on a path of improved physical and mental health. Exercise and outdoor sports are well documented to reduce individuals’ risk of major illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer by up to 50% and lower risk of early death by up to 30%. The reopening of the outdoors sports sector will seek to help reduce the impacts of these debilitating diseases and in turn reduce pressure on the NHS.
Said Prime Minister Boris Johnson: “I know how much people have missed the camaraderie and competition of organised sport, and how difficult it has been to restrict physical activities – especially for children.
“I hope today will kick-start a Great British summer of sport – with people of all ages reunited with teammates, and able to resume the activities they love.”
