The Vikings Sports Foundation can confirm that the following programmes have been postponed until further notice, after taking into consideration government guidelines surrounding Coronavirus.
- Offload – usually takes place every Tuesday, 6:30pm-8pm
- Walking Rugby – usually takes place every Tuesday, 5pm-6pm
- Chemics Café – usually takes place on the first Wednesday of each month, 11am-12:30pm
- Learning Disability Super League Training – usually takes place every Thursday, 5pm-6pm
- Golden Generation – usually takes place every Friday, 3pm-4pm
This decision has been made due to updated government advice and some of the above programmes being delivered to participants who may be particularly vulnerable to the impact of Covid-19.
Vikings Sports Foundation have a duty of care when it comes to the delivery of all programmes and although it has been a difficult decision it would have been irresponsible to continue with these programmes.
We are endeavouring to communicate this information with all participants in the effected programmes, however if you know anyone who attends these sessions please pass on this information regarding the postponement.
We will keep all supporters and participants up to date with the latest news regarding our programmes through our official social media channels and club website.
For more information please contact our Head of Community, Cheryl McGivern, on 0151 495 2250 or cherylm@widnesvikings.co.uk.
Please see below for an official statement from the RFL regarding the postponement of the Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League:
The RFL have been in dialogue with Community Integrated Care throughout this week, to consider how the Coronavirus outbreak might affect the delivery of the Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League. As you will no doubt appreciate and may have already been expecting, we have collectively agreed that all learning disability rugby league activities should be postponed from Monday until it is agreed that it is a safe and suitable time to relaunch the programme.
This difficult decision has been made considering the high risk that Coronavirus could have on some participants, who may be particularly vulnerable to the impact of the illness. It has been informed by guidance that Community Integrated Care is currently receiving from the leading agencies directing the response to the virus within the health and social care sectors.
As you will recognise, many of the participants in the project have underlying health issues or may be receiving medication, which places them at a higher risk of being particularly affected by the illness compared to the general population. Whilst we are conscious that training and playing is an important routine for many of the players, we also feel that it is important that we balance this against the needs to protect their health and wellbeing.
Consideration has also been given to the particular impact that an outbreak through a learning disability rugby league team may have on their wider local community. Our teams bring together multiple care agencies from across each community, the Support Workers of player will also assist other vulnerable people, many of our players are in fulltime care services or SEN education. The risk of an outbreak spreading from the project into other care agencies, SEN schools, families or community groups could be particularly challenging, and it is important that we avoid this risk.
Obviously, this project is very important to the RFL, Super League and Community Integrated Care. We are all committed to creating some very special experiences for players, families and the coaching teams to make up for any disappointment, when we are able to relaunch it later this year.
The Learning Disability Super League Management Group will also be catching up in the coming days to consider ideas for other opportunities and activities that we might be able to create for players and their families to enjoy at home, whilst sessions are on hold.
We would welcome your support in sensitively sharing this news with the parents, guardians or support workers for your LDSL players. Community Integrated Care has also supplied some easy read information, which parents or support workers might find helpful in communicating to their loved ones how to stay safe and avoid picking up the illness, which they may appreciate you sharing.
