Group 4 season abandoned: Blues disappointed but president supports decision

Group 4 Rugby League delivered some disappointing news last Friday when it announced that its 2020 season had been abandoned.

The Group 4 board met on Tuesday, June 2, to discuss the current situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

At that meeting the board deferred any decision about its 2020 season pending more advice from the NSWRL.

Prior to that meeting Group 4 Rugby League chairman Ray McCoy said he would recommend his Board abandons hopes of conducting any 2020 competition.

Just 10 days later that recommendation became a reality when the season was officially abandoned.

Narrabri Rugby League Football Club president Tom Mason said that the club and its players were disappointed but said that the right decision had been made.

“The protocols of all the COVID procedures we had to go through were the biggest issue,” Mason said.

“And also it just wasn’t viable financially.

“Our club and the players are disappointed for sure but everyone knows it was the right decision.”

Mason said that club had now turned its attention to its centenary year in 2021.

“It’s a big year next year, 100 years of the Blues, so we will need to have a board meeting soon, talk to our sponsors and start planning,” Mason said

“We also need to rebuild our culture too, we need to get the next generation inspired to come and play for the Narrabri Blues.

“Our old boys will be a big part of that.”

Meanwhile Group 4 Rugby League noted several factors that led to its decision.

“Group 4 Rugby League will abandon the rest of the 2020 season and concentrate on helping our clubs prepare for a successful return in 2021,” a Group 4 statement said last Friday.

“The main reasons were due to heavy financial concerns due to the lack of sponsorship monies and even though the COVID-19 restrictions may be relaxing they still throw a huge impact on the ability of our clubs to police and meet those restrictions as well as monitor the health of all our participants.

“They included such protocols as dressing room restrictions, additional 30 minute intervals between games, restrictions on car pooling and bus travel, appointment of COVID-19 safety officers and on-going health concerns.

“We also have unconfirmed player numbers, are still awaiting on permission to train and play on council-owned grounds and have concerns the Group 4 Referees Association might not have enough numbers to facilitate games.”

Group 4 also said that the financial burden on clubs was too significant.

“The financial aspect for clubs is daunting,” the statement said.

“We are still not guaranteed how many spectators we are allowed at games.

“This is vital to all our clubs as gatetakings and receipts from bar and canteen operations play a major role in the ongoing viability of our clubs.

“Added to that is the continuing uncertainty surrounding clubs and pubs.

“All of our clubs benefit from good sponsorships from various clubs and pubs. During the pandemic all of these businesses have been hard hit by pandemic restrictions, all have been closed for long periods of time and they too need time to get back to normal.

“These clubs and pubs have formed long and valuable relationships we want to help flourish on return.

“With diminished income, but regular game day expenses, it is not a viable business decision to move forward with season 2020.

“The Group 4 Rugby League board has agonised over a possible return but in the end found the COVID-19 pandemic had placed not just a health risk on our clubs, players, supporters and communities but a heavy financial burden on our clubs.

“In consultation with our clubs the Group 4 board voted to abort the 2020 season and hopes to utilise the down time to start planning and preparations for a bumper season in 2021.”