The National Federation of State High School Associations, along with the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, has released a document offering guidance to opening high school athletics and activities.

The full document can be read here >>

It's a 16-page document that goes into deep detail and started off by saying "essential to the physical and mental well-being of high school students across the nation to return to physical activity and athletic competition."

However, it's not that simple. The report states that it is unlikely that every state will be back and open up for activities at the same time, and there will be a variety of differences in how states bring back high school sports.

State associations will have to answer some questions—will they hold seasons or championships if some areas of the state are still closed down? Will sports take place if schools are still only teaching remotely? What sports are considered low risk, and high risk? (Spoiler alert: rugby is high risk.)

States will have to create policies regarding face coverings during competition, and it's likely that testing and event school closures during the 2020-2021 school year will occur.

What is also clear is that gatherings will be limited to ten people or fewer at least at the beginning of the resumption of activities, and participants must stay at least six feet away from each other at all times.

These are not guidelines conducive to rugby.

In addition, sharing a ball or passing a ball around, or the sharing of equipment (tackle bags?) will likely be restricted.

There are more stages to go through. But the upshot is that it will take time to get back to what everyone remembers as normal.

The full document can be read here >>