Latest Update from NSWRL

Dear Participants

As you know, last month it was decided by the New South Wales Rugby League, in partnership with the NRL and State governing bodies, to postpone community Rugby League and other Rugby League competitions and activities in Australia until at least the first weekend of May.

This decision was informed by advice provided by government and health organisations with a view to stopping the spread of COVID-19 virus.

Since this decision was made NSWRL has continued to review the advice provided by the State Government and Health organisations where COVID–19 updates are provided.

Guided by the latest advice, the Board of NSWRL today (22 April 2020) established a plan for a re-start of Rugby League activities from July 2020 to coincide with a common return date for some other winter sports across the state and the commencement of Term 3 in the school year.

The decision to kick-off a shortened Community Rugby League season and to re-start other abbreviated senior competitions will be further reviewed and confirmed by 1 June 2020 subject to the existing Government advice available at the time.

The decision took into consideration the NSW Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020 which is currently preventing sport from being conducted and expires at midnight on 29 June 2020 (unless further extended).

Accordingly, the earliest possible return date is 30 June 2020, unless the NSW Government decides to lift the Public Health order earlier.

In line with most NSW winter sports, the NSWRL Board has agreed to kick-off Community Football competitions from 18 July 2020, coinciding with the end of the next school holiday period and start of Term 3, while allowing a return to training on 1 July 2020. This is subject to the status of the public health in the interim.

Competition formats and the length of the season will be dealt with on a case by case basis accordingly to the particular circumstances of each competition.

The 2020 season was originally due to commence 4 April when it was postponed in March. All Clubs and Leagues are encouraged to continue to take registrations beyond the traditional 30 June registration cut-off date.

The Board and Management of NSWRL have been continuing to closely monitor developments with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to strictly follow the Government advice so that we will only return to playing footy when it is deemed safe to do so.
Review Date

Given the current unpredictable nature of the world we are living in NSWRL will continue to keep all stakeholders as informed as possible over coming weeks should there be significant changes to any of the above. There will also be a formal update provided by Monday 1 June 2020.

NSWRL and all of us in our Rugby League community will need to be responsive to the continual changes to the government advice around risks to public health, and should it become apparent that a July date may not be feasible, adjust and reassess at that time.

Once again, we thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding and wish you the very best of health.

Dr George Peponis, Chairman, NSWRL Board
David Trodden – CEO, NSWRL
BJ Mather, General Manager-Football, NSWRL
Bert Lowrie, Operations Manager, NSWRL