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Competitive Season Delayed Following RFU Announcement
Competitive rugby across the club will begin later than planned following the RFU’s decision to delay the start of the season.
Southport Rugby Club has been affected by the Rugby Football Union’s decision to delay the start of the competitive community rugby season following concerns surrounding the condition of pitches after the prolonged period of dry weather.
The RFU has confirmed that competitive community rugby will now begin in the week commencing Monday 21 September, with exceptionally hard playing surfaces across the country creating additional concerns around player welfare and contact rugby.
The decision will impact a number of teams and scheduled fixtures across Southport RFC, and we are currently working through the implications with the relevant competitions and league organisers.
For our senior men’s section, the First XV’s scheduled Brian Leigh Lancashire Trophy fixture against Didsbury Toc H on Saturday 5 September will also need to be rearranged. As things currently stand, their first competitive fixture will now be against Eccles RUFC at Waterloo Road on Saturday 26 September. We are awaiting further information from the IMPACT Rugby North West Leagues (NOWIRUL) regarding the revised arrangements for the Second XV and Third XV.
Further information is also being awaited regarding our Women’s and Colts teams, with their respective league and competition organisers expected to provide updated arrangements in due course.
For our Mini & Junior sections, any relevant changes or updates to planned rugby activity will be communicated directly and internally through the respective team managers.
As soon as revised fixture dates and competition arrangements are confirmed, these will be shared through the club’s usual communication channels.
Player Welfare and Training
The RFU’s decision follows concerns over the condition of pitches after the prolonged spell of dry weather, with hard surfaces potentially increasing the risk of injury during contact activity.
Clubs have been advised to appropriately risk-assess training and reduce or modify impact exposure where necessary.
Guidance includes limiting activities that repeatedly take players to ground, reducing repeated tackles, falls and rucks, modifying contested lifted lineouts where required and making greater use of the RFU’s ACTIVATE injury-prevention programme.
The RFU is also making pitch advisers available to community clubs to provide guidance and support regarding playing surfaces.
Southport RFC will continue to monitor conditions closely and ensure that all rugby activity across the club is delivered with player welfare at the forefront.
Waterloo Road Will Remain Busy
Although competitive fixtures have been delayed, there is still plenty happening behind the scenes at Southport Rugby Club.
We are currently looking at arrangements to ensure that Waterloo Road remains a busy and enjoyable place to be on Saturday afternoons, even during weekends where scheduled competitive rugby has been affected.
Further details around clubhouse activity and any additional plans will be shared once confirmed.
We appreciate the patience and understanding of our players, coaches, volunteers, members, parents and supporters while the revised arrangements are worked through.
Keep an eye on the Southport RFC website, social media channels and your respective team communications for further updates.