CDRL clubs unite to push game’s Far North return
The possibility of senior footy being played in the region has been thrown back on the table less than two weeks after Cairns and District Rugby League clubs unanimously voted to cancel the 2020 season.
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The possibility of senior footy being played in the region has been thrown back on the table less than two weeks after Cairns and District Rugby League clubs unanimously voted to cancel the 2020 season.
Three CDRL clubs are driving a push to see the return of rugby league to Far North fields in some capacity this year, as long as government restrictions limiting the number of people at public gatherings can be further relaxed.
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All 11 clubs last week agreed it was not feasible to deliver a typical season within the guidelines, which would allow no more than 100 people at a sporting ground at any one time from July 10.
But, taking stock of the complex and constantly-evolving situation regarding COVID-19, not all clubs are ready to write-off a year’s worth of rugby league in the region just yet.
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Brothers Cairns’ football operations manager Tim Rumford said the club was one of “three or four” that were eager to get on the field later this year.
“Straight away after that meeting, we started to think about what we could do — we knew what we couldn’t do — so we thought about what we could do going forward,” he said.
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“We put lots of ideas together and we thought about trying to get something going.
“We understood that Tully and Innisfail already had a thought about doing something so we just made contact on the basis of: if we could potentially do something, we’re all committed to trying to get it going.”
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Rumford stressed that any games played would not be part of a competition, but rather a “mini series” with no prizes.
He said the club had this week returned to restricted group training sessions and would be ready to play if and when rugby league could return.
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While three clubs — Brothers Innisfail, Tully Tigers and Brothers Cairns — are leading the push for rugby league’s return, the Cairns Post understands a fourth CDRL club has also expressed interest in participating.
“It’s hasn’t been a closed shop where clubs have gone around whispering around corners, it’s been a very open discussion that there’s three or four clubs that would like to do something, and if anyone wants to get involved then let’s try and do it,” Rumford said.
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“It’s been encouraging how much togetherness and camaraderie there’s been in the initial discussions, which is all it really is at the minute, because we don’t know if the numbers are going to lift.
“It’s all hinging on the limit getting up to, I would suggest, at least 500.”
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Cairns-based Intrust Super Cup club the Northern Pride have also expressed a desire to participate in the league series.
Following the QRL’s decision to cancel its statewide competitions, Pride players were set to play for CDRL clubs this year, before the local competition was also cancelled this month.
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“If there’s some form of the game being played in our area, we’re obviously interested,” said Pride football operations manager Chey Bird.
“If it means that there’s an avenue for our players to potentially take part, we’re certainly keen to see if it’s feasible.”
Originally published as CDRL clubs unite to push game’s Far North return