TRL hopeful of new start to season

THE Toowoomba Rugby League has set a new date for round one of the 2020 competition.

Photo: File

RUGBY LEAGUE: The Toowoomba Rugby League has set a new date to finally get season 2020 underway.

The latest advice from Queensland Rugby League pushed back any football related activity back until June 1, quashing plans for a May 30 start date after four weeks of training.

The TRL has worked around this, opting for a June 6 date to commence the season.

Chairman Rex Zeeman said the board, who met via Zoom, believed that pushing round one back a week was the best course of action.

“We had an hour and a quarter meeting to discuss a few things about what is going on and in relation to the competition,” Zeeman said.

“With the June 1 timeline, we thought the earliest we can see is June 6 to resume play.

“It’s a tight window where clubs will only have a week to train together, but we know the clubs are keen to get out there.

“As to how many games we play or the format of how the competition will look like, we haven’t discussed those things yet.

“Time is on our side and there’s no need to rush it. The last time we rushed into a draw, we spent an inordinate amount of time working and then it all changed. We’ve got ideas, but at this stage they’re only ideas.”

While the new starting date means teams will have less time to train together prior to round one, Zeeman said the focus would shift to clubs ensuring their players are getting match ready in the lead up to kick-off.

“We’ve sensed from previous conversations that the clubs are keen to get out there and play,” he said.

“I’ve been in contact with all clubs to see how they’re going.

“They want to play. They want revenue ticking over to help pay the bills.

“In terms of training, players individually, particularly those in first grade, will keep themselves fit, and with a start date they can mentally prepare too, which is just as important.

“We’ll leave that to the clubs to decide how they operate, coaches will work out the best way to achieve what they want to within the rules in place.”

After the previous revision of the competition, it was decided by TRL officials that the league would revert back to an 11-round fixture, followed by finals.

This would’ve seen each team play each other once before the finals, and the grand final on September 6.

If this strategy is to be adopted by the TRL board when they meet again on April 20, the grand final would move back to September 13.

TJRL HOLDING FIRM WITH RESUMPTION DATE

The Toowoomba Junior Rugby League remains hopeful of their original start date of June 13 coming to fruition.

In a statement, president Dan Aldons said they would keep the date unless otherwise advised.

“Given the continuing moderate infection rate within the community, we are at this stage sticking with our plan for a possible resumption of the season on June 13,” Aldons said.

“It is important to note that this may change if community infection rates remain consistent or increase.

“Should that be the case, the TJRL have prepared several contingencies and alternate resumption dates which we will advise of.”

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