Pride’s foot on pedal to play on with two CDRL clubs
Every chance must be taken to bring rugby league back to the Far North this year, according to Northern Pride coach Ty Williams.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Stingers skipper wants to repay club with premiership
- Cairns’ international cricket double-header thrown into doubt
- Queensland Cricket determined to bring elite cricket to FNQ
- Cairns sports club’s stellar growth
Every chance must be taken to bring rugby league back to the Far North this year, according to Northern Pride coach Ty Williams.
The Pride have made clear their desire to play the game in some capacity before the end of the year, ever since the Queensland Rugby League cancelled its four statewide competitions in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Following the QRL’s decision, the Pride were looking towards the CDRL as an avenue to give their players game time, but the local competition was also cancelled on June 1.
MORE: TWO CDRL CLUBS REMAIN AFTER LEAGUE MEETING
The league received a boost when the State Government brought forward a move to Stage 3 restrictions last week, with at least four CDRL clubs expressing fresh interest in participating in a revamped season.
But, after a CDRL meeting on Monday, just two clubs remained.
“It’s the environment we’re in at the moment,” Williams said.
> TAIPANS LEGEND SLAMS VENUE DELAY ‘SHEMOZZLE’
“On the flip side, the positives are that restrictions have been lifted and there’s two teams – and potentially us – looking to play some football, so let’s find a way.
“There’s an avenue there for us, let’s sit down and discuss how we can get something going.”
The former Maroons winger and Innisfail junior said he, and the Pride, were driven by a need for the sport to be played in the region, widely considered as rugby league heartland.
> THE UNPOPULAR DECISION WHICH SAVED JUNIOR RUGBY LEAGUE
“At the end of the day, and I’m going to be pretty clear with this, this isn’t about the Northern Pride, this is about rugby league in general and rugby league in our footprint – it’s just getting some sort of football up and going again,” he said.
“A month ago, we were sitting here saying there’s no chance of football, all of a sudden there’s something happening, but I think we’ve got to act on it pretty quick.”
> TAIPANS LOCK IN THREE FOR NBL21
The Pride will attend a CDRL meeting on Thursday night as it seeks to be included in any rugby league played in the region this year.
The Intrust Super Cup club will sit down with CDRL officials and club representatives from Brothers Cairns and Tully Tigers to discuss the immediate future of rugby league in Far North Queensland.
> FNQ RUGBY REVEALS NEW KICK-OFF DATE, DRAW
Brothers and Tully are the only CDRL clubs that remain committed to a return to the field in 2020, following Monday night’s CDRL meeting.
“We’ll have a chat to them (the clubs) on Thursday evening, just get together and try and nut out a way to try and play some football,” he said.
Originally published as Pride’s foot on pedal to play on with two CDRL clubs