No shot, no play: The dire warning for all Gold Coast footballers in vaccination debate

The Gold Coast’s top rugby union and rugby league bosses have united in a view sure to divide opinion.

Rugby League Gold Coast chairman Peter Daley, Gold Coast Titans executive chairman Dennis Watt, South West Queensland Touch Football regional administrator Sam Heath, South Queensland & Border Districts Touch Football regional manager Garry Shepherd and Group 18 Junior Rugby League secretary Roy Ferraro. Picture: Gold Coast Titans

THE Gold Coast’s top rugby union and rugby league bosses have united to recommend all community footballers immunise themselves from the common cold before returning to play.

The two codes are adamant players had a responsibility to their teammates and community to minimise the risk of spreading disease before stepping on the field.

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Their stance follows national outcry at Gold Coast Titans forward Bryce Cartwight’s refusal to be vaccinated against the flu as the NRL marches towards a May 28 return.

Rugby League Gold Coast chairman Peter Daley said he had his first ever flu shot this year and would recommend all players do the same or pay the price.

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Rugby League Gold Coast chairman Peter (Pete) Daley.

“I think it’s absolutely a good idea and good for the community,” he said.

“Now if someone doesn’t want (the jab) I can respect their choice but they can’t play.

“They’ll have to sit out and someone waiting in the wings can jump in.

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“It will have to be monitored by the clubs if it does become mandatory (but if players refuse) someone else should get that opportunity - whether that’s to play local A Grade or in the NRL.”

Gold Coast rugby boss Kim Bending expressed his disappointment on Cartwright’s ‘anti-vax’ position.

The Australian Army are partnering with the Gold Coast Cyclones representative rugby program to cement the relationship between the Canungra base troops and the Coast. Cyclones players at the base ground warfare obstacle course at Kokoda Barracks. Kim Bending Chairman Gold Coast and District Rugby Union. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

“Everyone is responsible for community safety and I find that especially in this current climate that’s completely unacceptable,” he said.

“It’s so easily transmitted, especially being a contact sport.

“We’ll be kicking off on July 3 with seniors and juniors and I’d recommend (the rugby union community to get the flu shot) for sure.

“Being a community sport it’s harder to monitor but you can only hope people will do the right thing.

“It’s in the best interests of everyone.”

AFL Queensland CEO Dean Warren said his code is working hard to return to play but would only do so upon meeting the Australian Institute of Sport Return to Sport National Guiding Principles endorsed by National Cabinet last Friday.

Head of AFLQ Dean Warren. Photo Adam Armstrong

It is believed that vaccinations have not yet been discussed as part of return to play protocol.

“Our focus very much at the moment is reviewing the AIS return to play principles from an AFLQ perspective,” he said.

“We’re doing it nationally as a code as well and working nationally in each state and territory on a return to play framework that integrates return to play principles and protocols so that as a code, we can gain approval from the chief medical officer in each state to return to community sport.”

Community sport has been on hiatus since government regulations against non-essential gatherings torpedoed the start of the winter sporting season in March.