CDRL: Two clubs remain after league meeting
Brothers Cairns and Tully Tigers could be the only Cairns and District Rugby League clubs to get on the field this year, with insurance concerns preventing others from being able to commit to a return to play.
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Brothers Cairns and Tully Tigers could be the only Cairns and District Rugby League clubs to get on the field this year, with insurance concerns preventing Ivanhoes and Mossman-Port Douglas from being able to commit to a return to play.
The CDRL held a meeting with club presidents on Monday night, with just two clubs and a series of trial games now on the agenda for 2020.
“There’s a few things holding others back and they’re just not really 100 per cent sure,” said CDRL president Colin Moore.
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“It’s just been a bit imposing on clubs to get out of the COVID situation, financially.
“A lot of them have had in-depth looks at their finances and I think we all have to respect that. It’s not about just jumping out there and having a game of footy.”
Moore said uncertainty surrounding insurance costs was one of the biggest issues clubs were faced with.
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“The QRL are holding the insurances that all the clubs have paid over to next year,” he said.
“The clubs are just concerned that, if they decide to play, does that constitute their insurance for the year gone, and then they’ve got to pay again next year, where it could be higher.
“So, they’re just a bit concerned with what happens if they decide to play and the effect it could have on next year’s insurance.”
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According to the Queensland Rugby League, a pro-rata refund will be credited to the 2021 season for clubs where a reduced risk occurs, such as a reduced season of fixtures; however, exact credit amounts are unknown at this stage.
The CDRL will meet with Brothers and Tully again on Thursday night to move forward with plans to get rugby league back on the field.
“It’s not a lot, but it’s a bit of footy for those who want to play,” Moore said.
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“I think the Pride will have to get in there as well. We might invite them and just see what their ideas are. And we may be talking to a Townsville club that has approached us as well.”
Townsville’s Norths Devils, who had expressed interest in playing with Cairns clubs, will hold their own meeting on Tuesday night to determine their future.
Moore said the earliest any teams would return to the field would be August 1, to allow for two weeks of contact training prior.
“It won’t be a competition, as such, but hopefully those that really want to play and those that can afford it will be able to get on the paddock,” he said.
Originally published as CDRL: Two clubs remain after league meeting