CDRL open to play in stunning turnaround
Cairns District Rugby League has opened the door to a stunning backflip, declaring it’s not too late for a competition to be played this year.
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Cairns District Rugby League has opened the door to a stunning backflip, declaring it’s not too late for a competition to be played this year.
Those are the words of CDRL secretary/operations manager Pat Bailey on the possibility of senior footy’s return after the Queensland Government announced an early relaxation of restrictions, which take effect from noon this Friday.
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The relaxation will allow for greater number of spectators at venues and allow for revenue-generating activities, like canteens, to run.
The league cancelled its 2020 season at a meeting on June 1 following a “unanimous” vote from its 11 clubs, with an anticipated 100-person limit at public gatherings making it too difficult to run the competition without putting clubs at serious financial risk.
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But the CDRL could return to Far North fields sooner rather than later, with the league wasting no time getting on the front foot for a potential return.
“It’s up to the clubs,” Bailey said.
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“They’ve still got a chance and if they want to do something, we will do it.
“Even if we had eight, six, four clubs, we could look at doing something.
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“If we gave them two weeks of training, then we’ve still got half of July, August, September and half of October to play some sort of competition.”
Bailey said she didn’t believe the CDRL made a decision to cancel its season too early.
“The clubs made a decision based on that situation at the time,” she said.
Following the CDRL’s decision to cancel the 2020 season in June, three clubs – Brothers Cairns, Tully Tigers and Ivanhoe Knights – had expressed interest in getting back on the field this year, provided restrictions could be further relaxed.
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The Northern Pride have also been interested observers, with a desire for on-field action after the QRL cancelled the four statewide competitions.
The Pride have been open to joining the three CDRL clubs on the field in some format, though discussions have not advanced.
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Bailey said more clubs could be willing to join the four following the latest easing of community sport restrictions.
She said any potential plans for a 2020 season would be guided by the Queensland Rugby League.
CDRL officials will meet with clubs on Monday evening to discuss a potential return.
Originally published as CDRL open to play in stunning turnaround