The Berks County HS rugby program will be hosting a 7s tournament this weekend in Reading, Pa., following on the heels of various other sports returning to action in the state.

However, there appears to be some pushback from Rugby PA on this plan.

(UPdate: Rugby PA has ordered a change in the tournament waiver and asked for the tournament to self-cancel: State Org Wants 7s Tournament Canceled)

Berks has acquired the correct permits and its own liability insurance, and will be instituting a number of social distancing and sanitizing rules to ensure safety during the tournament. Organizer Greg Stelluti said Rugby PA leadership doesn't seem to want him to hold the tournament, but he points out that lacrosse, basketball, and wrestling tournaments and competitions are already being held in Pennsylvania, and football practice has started.

"These kids need to get out and do something," he said. "The kids I coach are already playing basketball and going to football practice. This past weekend there was a wrestling tournament about an hour from here."

He's referring to the Bison Duals tournament in New Cumberland (see website on the event here>>). 

USA Rugby's return-to-play guidelines say to follow local authorities when deciding when to return—meaning it's not a national decision.

And in Pennsylvania, the state has been in Stage 4 for over a month. The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association has announced that high school fall sports will begin as normal.

PIAA has released a detailed set of guidelines for fall sports here >>.

As for rugby, there seems to be a strong demand for a tournament, and several groups of players have formed teams ready to compete this weekend. All players and coaches will be required to follow certain safety protocols, and will have to sign a special waiver regarding COVID-19.

We asked for a comment on the tournament from Rugby PA but that request wasn't immediately answered. However, apparently Rugby PA will be issuing a statement on the tournament, and it likely won't be a statement of support.