GET in, get out and be patient - that is the advice New South Wales Rugby Union chief executive officer Paul Doorn has offered as players from across the Central West return to training.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A relaxation of social distancing rules means rugby clubs across New South Wales, including Bathurst Bulldogs and CSU, can now conduct small group training sessions with restrictions.
Groups are restricted to 10 people, there can be no physical contact and an emphasis has been placed on good hygiene practices.
"We are really encouraging everyone to promote a get in and get out policy at training. We want our players to come changed, strapped an ready to play," Doorn said.
A return to training, albeit it with restrictions, is a positive step for clubs after sessions were prohibited in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
While Rugby Australia earlier announced a July target for a return to play, Doorn stresses that at this point a target is what it remains.
As of yet community rugby competitions, such as Central West Rugby Union's Blowes Clothing Cup, New Holland Cup and Ferguson Cup, have not been given a green light to commence.
"I know that there are a lot of plans in place to try and set a notional start date for competitions and most of those are in July, which is really exciting and I think really positive," Doorn said.
"We do, however, need to be cognisant of the fact that at the moment the public health orders only allow us to train.
"So I know and appreciate there are lots of people doing some fabulous work around planning, but we have to take into careful consideration that these targets have to allow a suitable preparation time for any start to a competition and they also have to be influenced by current government advice.
"This advice is currently that, like all other sports, rugby union can train but not yet play."
