Please see below for a few updates from Coach Shawn and our coaching staff for our ruggers and their families;
Hey everyone,
Just wanted to touch base about the current situation and the status of the season. I’m sure everyone is just as disappointed as we coaches are. The boys have been working hard in preparation for the season and we were seeing great improvements from all players. So this suspension of spring sports is a tough one to swallow.
There is still so much we don’t know, but we are hopeful there will still be some rugby to be played this season. We are continuing with no practice until we hear otherwise from the athletic department. With any luck we can resume practice April 6th per the MHSAA.Should travel be allowed at that time then we would not expect any players at practice over spring break and would resume April 13th.
This is an ever evolving situation and things are changing daily. We are awaiting direction from multiple sources; the Michigan Health Department, USA Rugby/Rugby Michigan, MHSAA, and our AD. Best case scenario is the season is allowed to resume April 6th. Rugby Michigan is working on multiple plans for what the season would look like (most likely a shortened season) if we are eventually allowed to continue. Worst case scenario is cancellation of the season. If this were to happen the $125 school club fees would be refunded. As for the $80 Rugby Michigan fee, Rugby Michigan has already stated that they would also refund their portion ($45) of the CIPP registration fee. We are waiting for USA Rugby to say if they will refund the other $35.
I also have to stress that there be no player led practices at this time. Our number one job as coaches is to keep our young men safe. I will however encourage them to keep there fitness level up on an individual bases. If anyone would like to get a rugby ball to play with at home, please feel free to reach out and I will get your son one!
Thanks for your time and understanding. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to reach out to me personally.
Shawn Gent
Shawngent@gmail.com
616-745-6266
SUPPORT THOSE THAT SUPPORT US: If you have the ability to get take out during this time please call our RRFC partner and supporter, The Corner Bar for take-out only. They are open for take-out from 11:00-2:00 and 4:30-7:30. They are a great partner for the RRFC and opened their restaurant for us to create a new home for our club, if you can support them during this hard time please do so.
We hope everyone stays safe and together we will get through this. If your rugger needs any mental health support during this time please feel free to reach out to any of the team captains that your rugger can contact via the group chat OR have them reach out to any of our coaches (Shawn Gent, Andy Dauser or Sara Crosby) All coaches information is listed in the parent packet on the website under forms and info. We hope that we have the luck of St. Patty and can see everyone on the pitch sooner rather than later!