NRL clubs’ safety measures amid coronavirus concerns
NRL clubs are introducing a raft of hygiene precautions to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus, but one measure has even left the players scratching their heads.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Why Greenberg is losing power struggle with V’landys
- TIPS.COM.AU: Over $2 million in prizes to be won
As fears of coronavirus spread across the globe, changes are also sweeping through the NRL.
And the NRL’s first coronavirus casualty is the good old-fashioned handshake, which has been replaced at the Sydney Roosters by the fist bump.
Even though Roosters co-captain Jake Friend almost scratches his head at the irony.
Watch the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership on KAYO. Every game of every round LIVE & Ad-Break Free during play. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
“We fist bump and then we go and wrestle each other all sweaty after that,” Friend mused.
Over at Manly, they have even taken to cleaning the gymnasium daily to avoid any players potentially contracting the virus.
Manly management is also insisting players don’t share towels and that hand wipes are used regularly.
Similar precautions are also now in place at other NRL clubs.
LISTEN! Phil “Buzz” Rothfield chats with Adam Mobbs about his Top 50 NRL players list
“Our view currently is that we are always vigilant with hygiene protocols but have ramped up these recently and have briefed all of the players on their importance,” Sea Eagles chief executive Stephen Humphreys said.
“We are considering further potential action in consultation with our medical team.
“Whenever you’ve got as many full-time players congregating in places we become quite fastidious.
“We have hand sanitisers all throughout our common areas and each player has been given his own supply. They have been encouraged to use them frequently.”
Out at the foot of the mountains, Penrith are taking player and fan safety very seriously.
The club will install hand sanitiser stations around Panthers Stadium ahead of round one’s clash against the Sydney Roosters on Sunday.
The club is planning to have the stations around common areas like at bars so fans have access to hand sanitiser at the ground.
Coronavirus was a “prominent” discussion point at the NRL’s annual chief medical officers meeting last Friday.
The governing body issued the CMOs with some general guidance and preventive measures against the spread of the virus.
Clubs were told to ensure players are:
– washing their hands
– using hand sanitiser
– not sharing towels
– not sharing water bottles
– not touching their face and mouth
Clubs were also reminded to ensure common surfaces like:
– dining tables are cleaned
– gym equipment are cleaned
FOOTY TIPS! Join Australia’s best footy tipping competition for your chance to win big. Add our experts to your league and join now at TIPS.COM.AU.
The NRL will hold a phone meeting with the CMOs this week to continue the discussion around coronavirus and to ensure clubs are adhering to the guidelines.
But while these measures are important, the reality is that there are far greater concerns that ultimately this could even impact the game’s ability to generate revenue in the coming months.
While no one wants to be an alarmist, already sporting events overseas are being cancelled or postponed as a precaution. And it is a privately conversation NRL club bosses are now having.
One thing young hooker Sam Verrills doesn’t want to contemplate is playing in front of empty stands.
Following the lead set by NBA superstar LeBron James who said “I ain’t playing” if the fans don’t show up, Verrills said: “For us it is all about playing for your fans and your family.
“I couldn’t play in front of no one.”
MORE NEWS
Live coverage: Third ADF case as schools close over diagnoses
Alyssa Healy’s World Cup winning show puts a smile on all Aussies’ faces, none more than her own
But veteran teammate Brett Morris recalled this was not the first time he has experienced a similar threat.
“I remember actually when the swine flu came out when I was at the Dragons, and Darius Boyd had to sit out a game,” Morris said.
“He got tested and they said he had it and he got quarantined in his hotel room.
“This was when we were playing up on the Gold Coast. So we went up to the game and he had to stay in the hotel.”
But Morris was not getting carried away by the fears.
“You can fear it and hide in your house or you can just get on with life and move on,” he said.
Originally published as NRL clubs’ safety measures amid coronavirus concerns