Mental health worries driving NRL’s ambitious May 28 return
The NRL’s motives for kicking off again next month run much deeper than the game’s perilous financial state, according to ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys.
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Peter V’landys has vowed to overcome criticism and relaunch the NRL next month to help ease the mental health toll of the coronavirus pandemic.
The NRL has numerous hurdles to jump before restarting its season, with broadcast negotiations and travel restrictions threatening to derail the game’s ambitious resumption on May 28.
V’landys will hold delicate discussions with Channel 9 and Foxtel next week and may need to convince Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to relax border blocks to allow the NRL to resume.
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But the NRL’s motives for kicking off again next month run deeper than the game’s perilous financial state, according to ARL Commission chairman V’landys.
The NRL is a $500 million business which employs thousands, funds rugby league across the country, and is watched by millions.
V’landys said he was concerned about the emotional toll the COVID-19 pandemic was having on society, with Australia’s economy decimated and thousands without work and isolated.
“The concern I have is more people are being affected by mental illness than by the coronavirus,” V’landys said.
“The coronavirus is certainly a danger to people who have a pre-existing ailment and are older, but I hate to see these younger people under the stress of it.
“We’ve got to take that into account.
“We have a lot of work to do but I am confident we are still on track for May 28.”
With the scheduled 25-round season likely to be abandoned, the NRL must structure a new-look competition with support from broadcast partners and other stakeholders.
Those plans have hit roadblocks, with Channel 9 reportedly lukewarm about the prospect of the competition resuming this year and running later than scheduled.
V’landys and the NRL have been criticised for announcing plans to restart the competition while the country is adhering to strict social distancing protocols and travel restrictions.
But with infection rates plummeting around the country, including only six new cases in Queensland on Friday, V’landys said he was forging ahead.
“Look, we are copping it from a lot of quarters,” he said.
“There’s a lot of criticism over our proposed return date but I’ve always said we will work closely with our medical people and respect the data on infection rates.
“The end of May is still five or six weeks away.
“Millions of people out there look to rugby league for their wellbeing. It’s our entertainment. It’s our escape.
“There’s a social cost and I’ll be doing everything I can to get the game up and running again.”
Originally published as Mental health worries driving NRL’s ambitious May 28 return