FNQ Rugby’s Southside Crusaders withdraw from season 2020

A FNQ Rugby club has spectacularly withdrawn just weeks before its planned restart but the governing body believes they’ll still produce a strong competition.

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A FNQ Rugby club has spectacularly withdrawn just weeks before its planned restart but the governing body believes they’ll still produce a strong competition.

Southside Crusaders have confirmed to members that they will not suit up when the competition resumes next month.

The club cited the implementation of COVID-related protocols, employment stability and the club’s financial position as contributing to the decision.

It means the Crusaders, who led the competition for much of the regular season before being eliminated in the preliminary final, will not play in 2020.

Crusaders president John Robertson had long been uncertain of the club’s prospects of playing this year.

Concerns about the coronavirus, the employment status of players and others involved in the club, and the requirements volunteer had to meet to be compliant with COVID-related government regulations were among his chief concerns.

They have been for some time, though the club only finalised their decision this week.

A request for a reduction in club fees due to the compressed format of the 2020 season had also been denied, Robertson said.

But Robertson was most concerned about the players.

“We can’t ask the players to put their livelihoods on the line,” Robertson said.

“These guys have families, some of them work in frontline jobs, the risk is too great.”

FNQ Rugby president John Pirie said while it was unfortunate Southside had withdrawn he was confident he was preparing for the strongest competition in years.

“FNQ will be pushing forward, and with the influx of players from rugby league looking for a contact sport, I think we’ll still have a strong competition,” Pirie said.

Southside won’t stand in the way of players who want to link with other clubs, which could help create a smaller, but stronger competition.

Brothers had struggled for numbers during the off-season while Penrhyn Sharks had planned to field only a reserve grade team before the coronavirus hit.

“We’re not going to be holding them back if they want to go,” Robertson said.

“We’ll be in a much better position next year.

“If he protocols are in place again then it will just give us more time to make sure we’re ready.”

Originally published as FNQ Rugby’s Southside Crusaders withdraw from season 2020