Bush footy faces uncertain future amid coronavirus shutdown
Bush footy competitions across the country are facing suspension for 2020 and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic is only going to get worse for communities still reeling from the bush fires.
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Bush footy competitions across the country will most likely be suspended for the year in the coming weeks, placing significant financial strain on clubs and groups to survive.
That is the reality according to outgoing Country Rugby League Chairman Terry Quinn, who fears for regional league’s future after the coronavirus pandemic.
The bush is already reeling from the drought and the recent bushfires, now communities are facing job losses.
This is having a major impact on country clubs that rely heavily on leagues clubs and local businesses for sponsorship.
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“Some clubs may go into recess,” said Quinn, who retired from the CRL on Friday after 18 years.
“They could sit out for a year and then hopefully recoup, but that doesn’t help the competition.
“If you don’t have enough clubs your comp is going to struggle. Group 21 only has four teams, so it is very scary.
“A lot of the sponsors financially support a lot of people in country towns. The footy club isn’t just about paying their players, there are a lot of other factors like medical supplies and equipment.
“It is quite a costly exercise.”
Quinn is worried country league is at bottom of the NRL’s priority list due to its own financial struggles.
“A fair chunk of the country money from the NRL comes from the NSWRL, who have already had to suspend their second-tier and junior rep competitions,” he said.
“If the NRL needs the money, it is going to go there, unfortunately.
“The CRL then have to start cutting costs, which impacts our programs and hurts the game.”
Most country competitions usually start around the Easter holiday break, but this is unlikely to happen due to the current shutdown.
Bush footy competitions also can’t be put on hold for too long as many local councils have deals to play cricket over the warmer months.
“The competitions are very much up in the air,” Quinn said.
“The trouble is they will have is keeping their players. Some guys aren’t locals, so if they have lost their job, they may have to leave town.
“A lot of them are not on contracts and they just turn up and play.
“If this virus shutdown goes too much longer, they will have to postpone the season for the year.
“But if it ends soon, I’m hopeful that bush footy can be played again, just maybe in a shorter format but I’m not sure what that will achieve.
“That will be hard as well to organise by all the volunteers, some who have already lost their jobs for now — it is tough.”