We have experienced a significant amount of uncertainty and anxiety over the last six months. The impact on youth sports has been profound. During the Summer, we carefully took the first steps to return to play rugby. We learned a lot through this process and continue to pay close attention to all information distributed by our State and local officials as well as the national governing bodies for rugby. As we embark on the upcoming High Fall 7s season, we do so cautiously following the best practices we have learned and those recommended by other sporting bodies.

Below is the Utah Youth Rugby Suggested Best Practices for Return to Play. As the document notes, the information has been condensed from several Return to Play policies and are for your reference and suggestion only. Clubs need to establish their Return to Play policies based on the specific circumstances for their clubs and the area in which the club operates. Utah Youth Rugby reserves the right to amend these suggested best practices as needed to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of this pandemic.

The Fall 7s tournaments will be full contact events with no modification of the Rugby Union laws. Masks are not required to be worn during matches; however, players, coaches, and spectators must wear face coverings off the field. The wearing of face coverings is a Salt Lake County requirement. Anyone refusing to be compliant with instructions from the event staff will be asked to leave the event.

Players who do not qualify for refunds of UYR Annual Player Registration Fees

• All players who registered with clubs/teams and participated during the Fall 7s season comprising August 1, 2019, through October 31, 2019
• All players who registered with clubs/team and participated in 7s tournaments after the Fall 7s season and before the Spring 15s season comprising November 1, 2019, through March 1, 2020
• All players who registered with clubs/teams and participated in 15s warm-up tournaments, warm-up matches before the Spring 15s season or conference games comprising November 1, 2019, through March 7, 2020
• All players who registered or will register with clubs/teams to participate in any rugby tournaments or matches (whether sanctioned by UYR or not) to be held through August 31, 2020 that require an active registration with USA Rugby

Players who do qualify for refunds of UYR Annual Player Registration Fees

All players who registered to participate in the Spring 15s season, u14 7s season, or the Little League Summer 7s seasons and did not participate in any matches or tournaments on or before March 8, 2020,

Refund Limitations

• Refunds will be reduced by the USA Rugby registration fee if the player's registration was uploaded to USA Rugby.
• Refunds will be limited to the actual amount received by UYR

Refund Options (subject to the limitation above)

• Donation of the 2019/2020 UYR Annual Player Registration Fee paid to support and sustain the operations of UYR through August 31, 2020
• Credit in the amount of the 2019/2020 UYR Annual Player Registration Fee paid to be applied to the 2020/2021 UYR Annual Player Registration which includes 2020 Fall 7s, 2021 Spring 15s, 2021 u14 Summer 7s, and 2021 Little League Summer 7s seasons
• Refund of the 2019/2020 UYR Annual Player Registration fee paid back to the method of payment used at registration

Refund Process

• Complete online form (one per player) on the UYR website.
• UYR will find the player's registration order form in SportsEngine and confirm player's eligibility and amount of refund
• UYR will provide the following to eligible players within 14 days of receipt of completed online form:
  • Tax certificate confirming the donations received
  • A discount code to be used to register for the 2020/2021 UYR Membership Year
  • Confirmation of refund processed back to the original method of payment
• Refund requests must be received by no later than 11.59 pm on August 31, 2020. Fees paid by any player who did not submit an online form by the deadline will be deemed a donation to UYR for the 2019/2020 financial year.

It is the goal of Utah Youth Rugby to make available the opportunity to play rugby to all Youth and High School players. Therefore, Utah Youth Rugby did not cancel rugby leagues and will modify leagues as needed to give those who want to play an opportunity to do so.

UYR will continue to monitor ongoing developments and announce adjustments accordingly. Updates and necessary information will be communicated directly to the membership via email, the UYR website, and social media channels.

All UYR members are highly encouraged to continue to follow instructions provided by the CDC on how to prevent the spread of all acute respiratory infections. That information can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html.