New South Wales Rugby League has provided the below update regarding this weekend's matches.
The NSWRL would like to advise most Major and Community Competitions across the Greater Sydney Region (Sydney, Central Coast, Wollongong, Blue Mountains and Shellharbour areas) will 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 Saturday July 24 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 must 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 NSWRL has taken decisions around its Major Competitions and Community Football to cancel them for another week in line with the latest advice from the NSW State Government and back the state to get on top of the COVID-19 outbreak,” NSWRL Head of Football Robert Lowrie said.
“It is important for all our participants, officials and spectators to continue to observe the guidelines that have been put in place to remain safe and help get Rugby League back on the field as soon as possible.
“Furthermore, I would like to emphasise for our regional areas and competitions, not in lockdown, our competitions will continue playing, but we need to maintain our vigilance in encouraging COVID-19 safety.”
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 Saturday 24 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.
Important links:
COVID-19 Information | NSW Government
