With yesterday’s government announcement that all of New Zealand (excluding Auckland) will move to Alert Level 2 at 11.59pm on Tuesday 7th September, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) have announced that all rugby outside of Auckland will be able to resume from Friday 17 September. This means that the remaining semi-finals and finals matches of our Farmlands Baywide Premier Men, Secondary School Girls and Central Bay Junior Rugby competitions can now start to re-assemble and train. 

NZR has confirmed the Bunnings Warehouse NPC, FPC and Heartland Championship, outside of Auckland, will recommence from Friday 17 September and they will release a revised draw in the coming days. 

NZR is also making plans for Auckland, North Harbour and Counties Manukau to play catch-up matches later in the season, subject to them moving to Alert Level 2. They currently remain at COVID Alert Level 4 until at least 11.59PM Tuesday 14 September. 

NZR have mandated the following alert Level 2 return to training protocols: 

• A minimum of two contact sessions, with adequate recovery of 48 hours between each, and 

• A minimum of seven days from the date of moving to Alert Level 2 before commencing competitive play. 

The government announced a number of additional “DELTA” protocols around indoor bubble sizes and mask wearing at certain venues and events.  We will advise how these effect rugby when we’ve received official advice from NZ Rugby and Sport NZ. 

Bay of Plenty Rugby activity as at 7th September 2021: 

• Western Bay Junior Rugby finals for U11-U13 grades have been cancelled. The top ranked teams on the points tables have been named as the winners for 2021. 

• Central Bay Junior Rugby will play their semi-finals and finals on the 18th and 25th September respectively. 

• Secondary School Girls rugby is still being determined what the remaining competition looks like for the season.  

• Farmlands Co-operative Baywide Premier Men’s Club Finals will be played on Saturday 18th September, pending clubs following RTP Protocols etc. 

• Bay of Plenty Steamers and Volcanix players will return to team trainings under Alert Level 2 protocols to prepare for NPC and FPC games. 

Please find COVID-19 resources for clubs and schools below to help keep your communities healthy and safe: 

New Zealand Rugby COVID-19 Requirements: Alert Level 3 & Alert Level 2  

RETURNING TO TRAINING GUIDE  
A guide to developing a Training Health and Safety plan.  
Return to Training Guide - Level 2   

RUGBY CLUBROOMS GUIDE  
A guide to developing a Health and Safety plan for rugby clubrooms.  
Return to Clubroom Guide - Level 2  

RUGBY CHANGING ROOM GUIDE  
A guide to developing Rugby Changing Room Health and Safety.  
Return to Changing Rooms Guide - Level 2   

MATCH OPERATIONS  
This Match Day Operations resource will assist with the running of rugby under COVID-19 requirements.  
Matchday Guide - Level 2  

Article added: Tuesday 07 September 2021