Rugby Pennsylvania has sent a letter to the Berks County HS club telling club president Greg Stelluti not to run a 7s tournament this weekend in Reading, Pa.

The letter is in part a cease and desist order telling Selluti not to use the waiver he has been using for the tournament, and instead change the wording to keep USA Rugby and Rugby PA out of it. Stelluti told GRR that he would be changing the waiver.

The letter also said that while Rugby PA couldn't stop the tournament, they were asking in the strongest terms for the tournament to be canceled, and suggested that coaches that participated could be subject to penalty under the Rugby PA Coaches Code of Conduct.

The letter, signed by Rugby PA Chairman Ari Christakis, also said that the Rugby PA Board felt Stelluti had his heart in the right place in wanting to host a tournament, but that now was just not the right time.

"We have alignment in our ambitions to see kids playing rugby again as quickly as possible but, as I explained yesterday and again today, this particular course of action is not acceptable," said Christakis in the letter.

This situation brings up an ongoing question regarding the return-to-play protocols.

USA Rugby's document (click here>>) stresses following one's local government and health official guidelines. But between the lines it becomes clear that applies to restrictions, not opening up. Pennsylvania, as reported in an earlier article, appears to be moving toward a normal high school fall sporting season, and some summer events, including basketball and wrestling, have been going on. So the question that needs to be answered in various states is, who gives the OK to play?