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 cancelled for the next two weeks in line with the current NSW Public Health Order (to 9 July) to deal with the public health risk of the recent 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 has been modified to a top four.
Please note that Community Competitions in Regional NSW will proceed as scheduled and are not subject to the current NSW Public Health Order, but still must adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols.
All suspended competitions across the Greater Sydney Region are scheduled to resume on the weekend of 17 July, giving teams the opportunity to train before returning to play, but that will be subject to the NSW Public Health Order at this time.
“The NSWRL has taken decisions around its Major Competitions and Community Football to adhere to the advice from the NSW State Government and give the state every chance to get on top of the recent COVID-19 outbreak,” NSWRL Head of Football Robert Lowrie said.
“I would urge all our participants, officials and spectators to observe the guidelines that have been put in place to help us 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 safety.”
The Major Competitions involved include Rounds 16 (3-4 July) and 17 (10-11 July) of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, Jersey Flegg Cup, Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield; and Rounds 11 (3-4 July) and 12 (10-11 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) and 14 (10-11 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 on 17 July with a Top 4 Finals series (formerly a Top 6) with Minor Premiers Central Coast Roosters taking on the Helensburgh Tigers (4) and Mounties (2) taking on Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (3). The Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership Grand Final is scheduled to be played on Saturday 24 July.
To accommodate the NRLW competition which is scheduled to start in late August, players involved in the finals series will be permitted to train with their NRLW clubs from Monday to Wednesday and their Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership teams on Thursday and Friday.
The changes made to Community Football include no games or training for clubs in Greater Sydney, Central Coast, Wollongong, Blue Mountains, Shellharbour (Group 7 Seniors and Juniors outside Shellharbour are permitted to train ONLY; no matches).
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.
