With coronavirus infections on the rise again and the number of regional lockdowns increasing it is difficult to imagine a return to normality for a very long time. We are all probably suffering a little from ‘cabin fever’ as we are restricted from doing all the things we would like to do and are unable to plan ahead with any certainty that our plans will come to anything. It’s incredibly unsettling for everyone but we are determined to support members and clubs so that together we come through this and that we use the time to provide training opportunities which ultimately we hope will help our clubs.
Over the past couple of months three new coaching webinars have been developed and 84 people have accessed nine courses. They have been really well received and we have had requests to provide more which we are now planning, including one which will be delivered by the GB Head Coach. Our new online ‘Introduction to Officiating’ course has also been really well received and we are encouraging all clubs to ensure they have at least one trained official in their club to support them. This will be increasingly important to provide the officials needed for the planned increase in local competition and friendly matches between clubs. Two courses have been delivered (both fully booked) and a third one (also fully booked) will run on October 27th. We plan more courses to meet the demand. Another area of focus is around women and girls. We would like more women and girls to feel that the sport is for them and to know that we are providing opportunities they can access and enjoy. We have some amazing women wheelchair rugby trailblazers in the likes of Nathalie McGloin, Josie Pearson and Kylie Grimes, but we think we can do better in making the experience more attractive for more women and girls and so will be out there listening and trying to understand how we can best achieve this.
We held our first Return to Play club webinar for clubs starting back at training with 22 people attending and it’s great to see that 7 of our clubs are back in action: Bournemouth, Leicester Tigers, Northampton Saints, Penrith Pumas, Saracens, Team Solent and Westcountry Hawks – congratulations to all of them and particularly to the volunteers and coaches who have made it happen. Hawks have done especially well as they have also had to find a new venue following the closure of the Plymouth Life Centre which has been their home since the club started. Feedback from those who have returned has been incredibly positive – listen to Kascie Higgins who plays for Northampton Saints and is a member of the Junior Talent Squad:
‘The return to wheelchair rugby was amazing. The club as a whole, including coaching staff and volunteers, made the first session back run so smoothly and made it feel safe and secure. Returning to wheelchair rugby, for me has already made a huge difference on my mental health and motivation. It has given me the motivation to get back on track to be the best I can be for both my team and the GBWR Junior Talent Team I am a part of.’
Other clubs are getting ready to return with London next up on 2 November. On first returning all clubs are restricted to operating under Step 1 of the 5 Step Plan for Return to Play. This is to enable clubs and venues to adapt and get used to the COVID-19 safety requirements and to enable individuals to get re-acclimatised to their rugby chairs. Individual clubs will be contacted to confirm when they are able to move to a new Step on the plan. At all times it is important that clubs and individuals follow the GBWR and Government Guidance and remain alert to any changes. This is even more critical now that infections are on the increase again.
In finishing I would like to congratulate former GB Captain and GBWR Board member Andy Barrow who has just been named as one of the top 100 influential people with a disability in the UK by the Shaw Trust, a great achievement and you can read more on the Power 100. Also congratulations to Claudia Burrough who is completing two virtual marathons – London and New York to raise funds for the Harlequins Foundation where she plays wheelchair rugby – read more on her JustGiving page where you can also sponsor her.
Stay safe.
David Pond, Chief Executive
