| Return to Play |
| Resources and updates |
The camellias are in bloom in my garden, it’s now light enough for an early evening walk along the beach with Lily, we can see a way out of lockdown and many of the people I know have had their first vaccination against COVID – all we need now are the pubs to open and life will feel even better! Yes, it’s getting brighter and we are all really looking forward to getting back to rugby. The government has indicated that 17th May will be the date we can get going again, though there are some signs that for disability sport that may be brought forward so keep an eye on the Return to Play updates on the website. Our priority is ‘to be ready’:
- ready to return
- ready to win
- ready for the future
Ready to return involves us all. We will support clubs and individuals with whatever you need to be in a position to start training as soon as the rules permit. RDOs will be in contact with you in the next few days to check where you are with your RTT plans. Guidance and check lists are available on the website and if you have any questions they will try to help and you can also contact the COVID-19 officer for any specific COVID-19 advice at covid-19@gbwr.org.uk. We want to be able to understand your challenges, anything that looks like it might delay your return, or any concerns you have so that we can try to help you find ways to deal with it.
Lauren and her team are also working on an exciting package of competition, club support and learning for coaches, clubs, officials and volunteers which will be launched in the coming weeks. This has some great elements beginning with regional festivals in July and with competition and social events planned for August and September. This will cover all of the sport disciplines we now offer: Paralympic, WR5s and Youth.
Ready to win is about having the best possible prepared GB team for the Tokyo Games. I am sure you will have seen many discussions in the media presenting different views as to whether the Paralympics will or will not go ahead. The IPC and the organising committee have been clear that it is ‘game on’ and so that is our only focus. The squad is back into a full training schedule at our base camp at Lilleshall and preparations are well advanced to ensure the best programme of Games preparation that we can deliver within the current restrictions. We have recently been informed that the Canada Cup in June has been cancelled and so we have taken the decision to move the date of the 2021 Quad Nations from May to the June window. We are optimistic that we may still be able to attract the USA, France and Denmark to take part but as ever are monitoring the changing situation in respect of the controls in place to stop the spread of infection. There is also an outside chance of a further joint training and competition opportunity with the USA which would provide us with valuable practice ahead of Tokyo. The Quad Nations will be a ‘closed door’ event this year with no spectators permitted in order to ensure as safe as possible environment for teams and staff. It will be streamed and so accessible for you to view.
Ready for the future allows us to focus on reshaping the governing body so that we are in the best position to deliver our plans over the coming years. Our new look board has been working really well together and we are benefitting from the different experiences the individuals bring. Kate Clayton and Sam Seddon are working with us to develop our digital PR and commercial strategy which we want to turn into something we can bring to life, to provide a strong digital and marketing presence which also supports our clubs and club competition schedule. Chris Conway, who stepped into Andrew Flatt’s shoes when he left us, is now chairing the GFC and looking at how we can improve your experience of our club affiliation process as well as supporting me as I prepare to end this financial year and get the budget in place for the new one. Paula Dunn and Andy Barrow have been a great support and ear as I have worked through the UK Sport funding process and as we work through preparations for Tokyo. Their performance and international insight and experience is proving an invaluable addition to the team.
A big part of planning for the future is to identify the new people we need. Mary Daunt who heads up the Nominations Committee has been working alongside Chair Ed Warner to put in place the process to find our new chief executive. They are being supported in this by the FTSE 250 recruiting agency Page Executive. The position has now been advertised with early applicants already having submitted their interest. The closing date is not until April so we expect some very strong candidates and for it to be a highly competitive process. We have also just advertised for our head of performance support & science, which is another important role and will support our performance programme. The successful candidate will work alongside Paul Shaw to ensure that he is supported with the very best advice and innovation in sports science and medicine. The next role to be advertised in the coming week will be for a performance pathway manager so that we can improve our system for talent identification, confirmation and development. We want to invest more in talent so that we continue to remain in the top world rankings of the sport.
So, as the days lengthen and the sun starts to shine we have lots to get on with and to smile about. Stay safe everyone.
David Pond, Chief Executive
