NSWRL suspends all competitions over COVID-19
c/- www.nswrl.com.au
A special meeting of the New South WalesRugby League (NSWRL) Board has agreed to postpone all Community Rugby Leagueuntil at least 1 May 2020, effective immediately, while all major NSWRLcompetitions have been suspended until 31 May in response to the COVID-19pandemic.
The decisionwas made by the NSWRL in partnership with the National Rugby League (NRL) andall affiliated states, and after carefully considering the advice fromwidespread consultation with NRL Chief Medical Officer Dr Paul Bloomfield, governmentagencies and other key stakeholders.
NSWRL ChiefExecutive David Trodden said the recommendation covers all Rugby Leaguematches, trials, training, courses and other club activities in NSW and is madewith the health and wellbeing of players, coaches, staff, officials andvolunteers and the broader community as a paramount consideration to assist inslowing the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
CommunityRugby League, which involves more than 100,000 grassroots players across NSW,from Under 6s to open age, was due to kick-off on 4 April, but will now bedelayed until at least 1 May.
NSWRL’s 13major competitions, most of which started last weekend, with the exception ofjunior representative competitions which kicked off in February, have beensuspended until 31 May. The later date will allow teams to train and prepareearlier in May if Community Rugby League is cleared to resume.
Thesecompetitions include: Canterbury Cup NSW, Harvey Norman NSW Women’sPremiership, Jersey Flegg Cup, Ron Massey Cup, Newcastle Business Plaza Cup,Sydney Shield, UNE SG Ball Cup, Laurie Daley Cup, Harvey Norman Tarsha GaleCup, UNE Harold Matthews Cup, Andrew Johns Cup, Women’s Country Championshipsand Men's Under 23s Country Championships.
In relationto the Canterbury Cup NSW, the NSWRL has decided that given the complexity oftravel restrictions, the Warriors should not participate for the rest of theseason.
Trodden said:“I have discussed this decision with the Warriors CEO Cameron George and hesupports the decision.
“Beyond thatwe haven’t decided anything with regards to the other suspended competitions.”
He said thatgiven the fluidity of the situation around the COVID-19 pandemic the NSWRL willcontinue to monitor and review the position based on expert advice and willcommunicate any updates regularly.
“Above allelse, our priority is to protect the health and safety of our players,officials, staff and supporters, as well as the broader community,” Troddensaid.
“Thesituation regarding COVID-19 continues to change daily and we are very mindfulof the need to be prepared, and take the practical, necessary measures requiredto maintain hygiene standards.
“At the sametime, we also need to remain calm, and not add to any sense of public panic.
“The NSWRLwill continue to actively monitor the situation and is committed to makingdecisions in relation to COVID-19 and its impact on Rugby League activity basedon the advice from the Federal Government and other medical experts.
“The NSWRL will continue to provide updates on its position tothe football community as the latest information becomes available.”