Scottish Rugby statement – Scottish Government Meeting

A detailed presentation was put forward drawing on the work of Scottish Rugby’s Threat Management Group and its respective sub-working groups which are looking at a phased approach to resuming elite rugby, future matchday planning and developing guidance for the community game in light of the challenges presented by COVID-19.

Following the Scottish Government’s own roadmap timetable out of the lockdown, plans were shared which outlined how elite rugby preparations could be delivered in the coming weeks in line with public health guidance.

The meeting was attended by Chief Executive, Mark Dodson, Chief Operating Officer Dominic McKay, Chief Medical Officer, Dr James Robson and Claire Harkness, Group Head of Stadium Operations and included input from Scottish Rugby’s High Performance dept, stadium operations and events teams.

Scottish Rugby’s Chief Operating Officer, Dominic McKay said: “We’d like to thank the Sports Minister, Joe FitzPatrick and Professor Leitch for facilitating this meeting and giving Scottish Rugby the opportunity to present our plans on ‘Return to Rugby’ in line with the Scottish Government’s guidance.

“It was a very productive meeting and Scottish Rugby welcomes today’s acknowledgment by the Minister for Sport, Mr FitzPatrick and Professor Leitch that we can continue to develop our plans for our professional players to resume training in due course with a view to games potentially taking place when professional rugby resumes in line with Government advice.

“We also had a further discussion on grassroots rugby and how we can use our current learnings to address some of the challenges faced with restarting the community game. Discussions with Government on this vital aspect of our sport are ongoing.

“I’d like to thank the members of Scottish Rugby’s Threat Management Group and all our staff who are working tirelessly to ensure we can plan, develop and deliver a safe, credible resumption of rugby at the appropriate time and within the necessary public health guidelines.”

Minister for Sport, Joe FitzPatrick said: “We understand the importance of sport to the people of Scotland, and the desire of many to see it resume. Earlier today I met with senior representatives from football, rugby and Scottish Racing to consider in detail how the sports will resume when it is safe to do so.

“If we are in Phase 2 of our pandemic route map and suitable health protection measures in place, then elite football and rugby should be able to resume behind closed doors.

“As we are currently unable to say exactly when Phase 2 will commence, any proposed dates for resumption behind closed doors must be provisional and subject to wider public health considerations.

“However, I know everyone involved will welcome some clarity to assist planning.”