On 31st Oct, Boris Johnson announced a national lockdown in England until 2nd Dec (no guarantee it will end then). 

Outdoor transmission of Covid 19 is minimal. All grassroots rugby clubs have guidelines & processes in place to make children's mini-rugby safe. This petition focuses on mini-rugby, played in a non-contact format focused on training drills and non-contact rugby training games. 

This petition is to fight to keep grassroots rugby for YOUTH going throughout the new restrictions. Benefits: 

- Physical health maintained or increased during restrictions. Sport England Survey showed 19% of children did 60 minutes of physical activity in Lockdown vs 46.8% pre Covid

- Mental health maintained or increased due to the social aspect of sport & looking forward to the activity each week. 

- Improves parents mental health. Taking your child & watching your child will support adult mental health. Clubs often the bedrock of the local community. 

A really good article here on the risk of Covid transmission playing football. Mini-rugby is played with similar proximities as outlined in the article below, in a non-contact and outdoor environment:   

www.consultancy.eu/news/amp/4388/only-minor-risk-of-covid-19-transmission-in-football-match

A really informative article on the importance of keeping children active during lockdown & great insight into how lockdowns impact children’s passion for physical exercise 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2020/11/02/telegraph-launches-keep-kids-active-campaign-unacceptable-lockdown/

Keep our children happy, safe, active and positive!