The NSWRL Board has made the very difficult decision to abandon a number of Major Competitions for the 2021 season in response to the COVID-19 outbreak across the Greater Sydney Region.
The competitions affected include The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership, Jersey Flegg Cup, Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield, which were suspended at the start of July
The NSW Government last month extended the lockdown for the Greater Sydney Region, including Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour, to try and combat the rising COVID-19 outbreak.
“With the current Public Health Order in force until at least 28 August, and there understandably being no current NSW Government sanctioned roadmap out of the lockdown for sport, the Board was left with little option but to cancel our Major Competitions,” NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said.
“In reaching their decision, the Board considered its obligation to provide participants with a safe environment to play sport. The NSW Government’s health advice, particularly the state of infection rates and vaccination rates, made it difficult to provide that environment in the immediate future.
“The NSWRL thanks our participants, officials and volunteers for their contribution to our Major Competitions this season. We urge them to remain safe, adhere to the COVID-19 safe guidelines and we look forward to their return in 2022.”
The NSWRL continues to work with the Office of Sport, NSW Health and other winter codes to form a position on Community Sport with a decision expected on Monday 16 August 2021.
Replies
The reasons why the comps have been cancelled are pretty much understandable, but I really wonder how much its likely to affect the game overall, this is the second year the comps have been cancelled and the lateness of the final straw for this year is pretty poor for the young players in particular.
Terrible news. Surprised they didn't wait and do a shortened comp.
In theory that was the idea but with only 4 rounds left, then the finals, with most played in QLD, would be hard for NSW clubs to work in with playing in NSW with half of the team on the bench in QLD. IIRC, there was only around 6-8 games played before it went into hibination.