It’s been a challenging week trying to understand the different restrictions required for different levels of our game – there has been significant change recently.

Essentially, there are two levels of rugby in our community, which have different restrictions:

1. Semi-professional rugby in an NZ Rugby Competition, which is Bunnings Heartland

2. Community Rugby, which is all other forms of the game.

Fortunately, Rugby Park is a controlled venue and as such we are able to play Bunnings Heartland games with no restrictions on crowd numbers. Contract tracing is mandatory, mask wearing is encouraged and you must remain 1 metre from each other. Kai carts will not be present. Please act responsibly when BYO as this is a whanau event.

Unfortunately both the women’s game and Under 18 games are considered community rugby games. This means there is a maximum spectator bubble of 100 allowed in the defined playing area.

For the women’s game, the first 100 spectators will be allowed in the defined playing area. You will see from the map provided for Rugby Park, the grass carpark is outside the defined playing area. This means you can watch the game from here but cannot use the ground’s facilities such as toilets.

Gates to the defined playing area at Rugby Park will be open for the Heartland game from 1.40pm to the public.

Ropes will be up for the Under 18 game at The Rectory. Thank you Gisborne Boys High School for your support.

Rather than focus on what’s being restricted, let’s please focus on what we can do and the fact we are able to play and watch rugby in such challenging times.

All games will be live streamed.