Bathurst Bulldogs regain a sense of community as training resumes at Ashwood Park

It isn't the June training regime Bathurst Bulldogs would have been expecting earlier this year as they prepared to defend their Blowes Clothing Cup crown.

However - given how uncertain the situation looked for sports across the country just a matter of months ago - just being able to get out on the field together in small groups is a welcome moment for Bulldogs players across all grades.

Bulldogs got their limited training sessions underway on Tuesday night with players eager to meet up and run through fitness drills.

First grade coach Matt McRobert said being able to see one another in the same environment is a boost many of the players needed.

"We missed that sense of community that comes with the club. It was nice to see their faces again. We couldn't shake hands or pat each other on the back but it was good just to interact and be together," he said.

"Rugby in this area is classified as community rugby, and that's what it's all about. That mateship and camaraderie is what we think sets rugby apart. Everyone's banter and sharing their experiences about the current situation - it was really great from that perspective.

"If we're able to give the players at least a taste of the rugby experience then we will."

The club have resumed training under the guidelines introduced by Rugby NSW, stipulating strict player limits and social distancing measures at each session.

"At the moment we've got very small numbers that will hopefully pick up in the next few weeks," McRobert said.

"We're doing what we can within the guidelines. Social distancing, personal hygiene and sanitation. We're not using footballs because we're still not 100 per cent comfortable with that.

"If we get back into a good rhythm and we can continue sticking to the guidelines then football is the next progression. It's the same as what we're seeing in society, a phased response to restrictions as you go, so this week is just about getting back out and doing some fitness."

The lack of contact drills and ball work is a difficult handicap to work with when preparing for the season.

McRobert said the club's attitude towards those measures has been admirable, and knows rugby could be around the corner if everyone does the right thing.

"It's a big adjustment but the players have been very patient throughout the isolation period and the postponement," he said.

"They were great a training. We didn't have to speak to anyone once about anything."

Players and officials have a long path ahead of them to ensure a season can go ahead.

Bulldogs set a great example for that in the opening training session, according to McRobert, but with the nature of rugby union there's not room for deviating away from the restrictions in place.

"We've been given dates for a return to play but there's a lot that needs to happen," McRobert said.

"Rugby, in terms of contact sports. is probably one of the most contact-heavy. There's a high degree of contact and we're not ready for that tackle work yet.

"We need to continued the staged approach to getting things back together. It's a big unknown but it was great seeing everyone together again."