COVID-19 waiting game for football codes

Queensland’s “field sports’’ are playing a tense waiting game after meeting with the State Government today following three new COVID-19 cases.

The state’s major football codes and cricket officials met with the State Government today to discuss the implications of the latest COVID-19 cases, but are so far determined to play on this weekend.

Queensland Rugby Union community rugby general manager Gaven Head said the latest Government health alert had been sent to clubs in Logan, the Gold Coast and other affected areas.

While they were free to make their own decisions, clubs had invested a huge amount of time and energy into developing COVIDsafe plans and the public was urged to be responsible, Mr Head said.

“We are expecting a pending email from the Queensland Government Sport and Recreation Department specific to the situation in southeast Queensland, and information regarding people who shouldn’t attend sporting activities,’’ he told the rugby community in an email this afternoon.

“We have all worked so hard to get rugby back, so please support your club or school by acting in a responsible and supportive manner for the benefit of our game and the Queensland community.’’

Teens at centre of COVID outbreak charged

Where you can get tested in the westside

Mr Head said the main message was to not attend matches unless there was a good reason, such as parents whose children were playing.

Everyone attending should sanitise, maintain social distancing, download the COVIDsafe app and log their contact details with clubs.

GPS Ashgrove (Jeeps) general manager Anthnoy Herbert said, at this stage, all of the club’s teams would return to Yoku Rd this weekend for the first time.

“Last weekend a couple of teams had trials and we’ve had the under 6-9s for two weeks,’’ he said.

“We’ve spent $7000 to get ready to play footie (safely). General managers of all the premier clubs will have different procedures but the main message is to be sensible — people should be alert, not scared.’’

Mr Herbert spent an entire day marking the grounds to make it easier for people to social distance and said there would be alcohol wipes in all change rooms so they could be cleaned between games.

Balls would be dipped in antiseptic after matches, attendees had to wear identifying wristbands and register on arrival.