Aylesbury RFC

Following the Government’s national lockdown announcement to counter the steep rise in Covid-19 infections, all community age grade rugby activity in England is suspended until further notice. This means a postponement of our return to rugby and we move back to Stage A on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap.

This also happened during the November lockdown and we jumped straight back to Stage E at the end of that so we are hopeful that the same will apply this time.

Disappointing as it is, it’s right that we all do whatever is necessary to help stop the spread of the virus and keep each other safe. 

The start of the national vaccination programme provides us all with hope and we will be able to return to things we enjoy in the not too distant future, whether this be playing the game, coaching or enjoying a drink with our friends in the clubhouse. 

ARFC will endeavour to support you and our community throughout this lockdown period, so if the club can do anything to support you or any community projects you’re involved in, please let us know. 

It’s important that this latest lockdown is treated only as a necessary postponement to our return to rugby and I want to assure all sections of the club that there’s still a lot we can do when we’re allowed to get back to it. 

The RFU have already extended the season to give us the best chance of returning to training and fulfilling some form of competitive rugby against local teams.

We’re also fortunate to have the all year round 3G pitch which will come into its own over the summer months, allowing us to continue to play contact rugby (within the guidelines), alongside the various non-contact versions of the game we can play on our grass pitches.

We are also hopeful that we can host a version of our hugely popular and much missed Minis Rugby Festival as and when restrictions are relaxed and our Head of Rugby, James Buckland and Next Phase Academy will be organising rugby camps.

Off the pitch, we are hopeful that in our 90th year, we can put on our biggest and best Summer Party yet and all being well, some form of dinner or ball to commemorate this significant anniversary.

Planning for all of the above and more is ongoing and the detail will depend on what happens, when, but we are constantly reviewing our options and will make sure there’s a good rugby and social offering above and beyond the usual season.

Looking at the next few weeks, we will be offering some online fitness sessions with Kaz and setting some fun challenges for you and our younger players to join in with.

Keep an eye on our web, socials and Spond for more information about how to take part in these. 

For our Minis and juniors, the RFU’s ‘Get Your Shirt On’ is a series of workout sessions led by former England players and aimed at the 6-18 age grades. Ugo Monye, Danielle Waterman and Danny Care have taken it in turn to put viewers through their paces.

These are a really enjoyable way of engaging your players in some rugby based fitness.

Week One Ugo Monye

• Session 1 - (U10s and below)
• Session 2 – (U11s to U14s)
• Session 3 – (U15s and above)

Week Two Nolli Waterman

• Session 1 - (U10s and below)
• Session 2 – (U11s to U14s)
• Session 3 – (U15s and above)

Week Three Danny Care

• Session 1 - (U10s and below)
• Session 2 – (U11s to U14s)
• Session 3 – (U15s and above)

I hope the above gives some reassurance that the season is a long way from over, and that we will be back at the club doing what we all love as soon as we can.

For now, stay safe and look after each other.

Paul Milham

Chairman

Aylesbury Rugby Football Club