Community game adapting to ever-changing Covid landscape
With the continued increase in Covid cases and the fast-approaching start of club rugby, Canterbury Rugby, in consultation with Metro, North Canterbury, Ellesmere and Combined Competition Boards, has adjusted the start of the 2022 Community season.
At a Glance:
Division 1/Premier across the three sub-unions to begin on the 2nd of April
Other Senior grades to begin commencing across the 23rd and 30th of April.
There will be options to play for teams that are fit and healthy prior to the 23rd April
Junior and Teenage Rugby still scheduled for the 7th of May
Canterbury Rugby will continue to monitor and communicate with clubs to ensure that we are meeting the demands of our community.
With the continued increase in Covid cases and the fast-approaching start of club rugby, Canterbury Rugby, in consultation with Metro, North Canterbury, Ellesmere and Combined Competition Boards, has adjusted the start of the 2022 Community season.
With many teams struggling and adapting to the challenges presented by Covid, the start of the Community Season will look a little different this year, with Division 1/Premier games across the province starting on the 2nd of April, and with other Senior grades scheduled to start later in April.
By consolidating the start of the season down to one division, it is hoped that clubs will be able to mitigate the issues presented by home isolation and put together sides to compete when the season kicks off on the 2nd of April. This change is also hoped to aid referee availability, ensuring refereeing teams are available to officiate these games.
The first round will see North Canterbury and Ellesmere Division 1 sides playing local rounds, with the Luisetti Seeds Combined Division 1 Competition start date delayed, while the Canstaff Metro Premier Mens and Women’s competitions begin as scheduled.
From there, Senior Rugby will enter a staggered start across our region, as we look to get the rest of our Community game started.
In Metro, the remainder of the Senior grades will restart on the 23rd of April, with the exception of Colts, who will begin on the 30th of April with the conclusion on University holidays.
In Ellesmere, Division 2 will restart on the 23rd of April, while Division 3 and Colts resume on the 30th of April.
In North Canterbury, both Division 2 and Colts will begin on the 30th of April.
The end date for these senior grades will be varied depending on team entries, but are pencilled in for the end of July and start of August, ensuring we still get a full community season in 2022.
Despite these delayed start dates in the Senior grades, there will be an opportunity for teams to play out of competition games, so long as they are fit and able, as to ensure that teams remain connected with our game and maintain their fitness levels before the start of the season.
More information on grade formats and the process to organise these out of competition games will be communicated directly with clubs next week, as we plan ahead for our 2022 Community season.
Conclusion:
Metro:
Premier Men & Women – 2 April – Final on the weekend of the 24th of July as planned
Premier Reserve/Senior/Classics – 23 April – Final on the 30th of July or 6th of August (TBC depending on entries)
Premier Reserve Women – 23 April TBC - Final TBC
Colts – 30 April – Final on the 30th or 6th of August (TBC depending on entries)
Ellesmere:
Division One - 2 April - Draws will be altered to play local games first to minimise the disruption for the Combined Competition. Exact details of which rounds will be played in the initial weeks will be communicated over the next ten days. Final on the 30th of July
Division Two – 23 April – Final TBC
Division Three – 30 April – Final TBC
Colts - 30 April – Final TBC
North Canterbury:
Division One - 2 April - Draws will be altered to play local games first to minimise the disruption for the Combined Competition. Exact details of which rounds will be played in the initial weeks will be communicated over the next ten days. Final on the 30th of July
Division Two – 30 April – Final on the 30th July
Colts - 30 April – Final TBC