Updated 3pm Friday 9 July.
The NSWRL would like to provide the following update for Major and Community Competitions across the Greater Sydney region (Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour) following the advice today (Friday 9 July) from the NSW State Government to further tighten restrictions to combat the COVID-19 outbreak.
The new restrictions will come into effect from 5pm today and the NSWRL would like to remind all Leagues and Clubs across the Greater Sydney region that training IS NOT sanctioned or permitted under any circumstances. The new restrictions include:
- People must stay in their Local Government Area or within 10km of home for exercise and outdoor recreation, with no carpooling between non-household members;
- Browsing in shops is prohibited, plus only one person per household, per day may leave the home for shopping.
The restrictions in place for Regional NSW Leagues and Clubs outside the Greater Sydney Region remain unchanged but they must adhere to COVID-19 safety restrictions and be aware of the potential impacts.
“The NSWRL would like to remind all Clubs and Leagues across Greater Sydney that training is not allowed – no matter how small the group,” NSWRL Head of Football Robert Lowrie said.
“We will continue to respond to the latest advice from the NSW State Government, make decisions around our Major Competitions and Community Football, and keep all our Clubs and Leagues up to date with the latest information.
“I cannot stress the importance enough of adhering to the advice from the NSW State Government to enable us to get on top of the situation and get Rugby League back on the park.”
The NSWRL had already advised on Wednesday that most Major and Community Competitions across the Greater Sydney Region (Sydney, Central Coast, Wollongong, Blue Mountains and Shellharbour areas) would be suspended for another week in line with the latest NSW Public Health Order (to 16 July) to deal with the public health risk from the COVID-19 outbreak.
This small suspension in competitions under the current “Stay at Home” orders will see all clubs involved in affected Major Competition matches receiving one point for a draw (COVID draw).
The finals series for the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership will now move straight to a Grand Final between Minor Premiers Central Coast Roosters and Mounties on the weekend of 24-25 July at Leichhardt Oval.
Please note that Community Competitions in Regional NSW will proceed as scheduled and are not subject to stay at home orders but are subject to the other current NSW Public Health Order provisions and must still adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols.
All suspended competitions across the Greater Sydney Region are scheduled to resume on the weekend of 24 July, giving teams the opportunity to train before returning to play, but that will be subject to the NSW Public Health Order which applies at the time.
The Major Competitions involved include Rounds 16 (3-4 July), 17 (10-11 July) and 18 (17-18 July) of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, Jersey Flegg Cup, Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield; and Rounds 11 (3-4 July), 12 (10-11 July) and 13 (17-18 July) of the Mojo Homes Cup (Illawarra).
The changes made to Major Competitions and Pathways football include no games or training for clubs in Greater Sydney, Central Coast, Wollongong, Blue Mountains and Shellharbour.
Rounds 13 (3-4 July), 14 (10-11 July) and 15 (17-18 July) of the Denton Engineering Cup (Newcastle) will continue for clubs not affected by ‘Stay at Home’ orders while those affected will be deemed a COVID draw and receive one competition point each.
The Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership will recommence with the Grand Final on the weekend of 24-25 July between Minor Premiers Central Coast Roosters and Mounties at Leichhardt Oval.
The decision around the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership was made in consultation with the NRL to ensure the workload for women players was managed appropriately before the NRLW starts in late-August.
Players involved in the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership Grand Final will be permitted to train with their clubs on Thursday and Friday and will train with their NRLW clubs from Monday to Wednesday.
The changes made to Community Football include no games or training for clubs in Greater Sydney, Central Coast, Wollongong, Blue Mountains, Shellharbour.
As Lowrie said, Regional NSW Leagues and Clubs outside the above-mentioned areas are permitted to continue playing and training but must adhere to COVID-19 safety restrictions and be aware of potential impacts.
