‘COVID Cops’ putting fear into local footy club training

Rugby League Gold Coast’s newest kids on the block have returned to training under the watchful eye of state government “COVID Cops.”

Rugby League Gold Coast’s newest kids on the block have returned to training under the watchful eye of state government “COVID Cops.”

Mudgeeraba A Grade coach Wayne Forbes said health and safety officials observed the Redbacks first session back since the COVID-19 shutdown.

“They were putting some fear into guys that they were watching and we’d be fined if we didn’t do it right,” Forbes said.

Action from Mudgeeraba Redbacks Rugby League Club.

“They weren’t visible to us and they didn’t come on to the paddock but our president got a phone call during training warning we had 22 guys in one zone at one point so we had to adjust.

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“They didn’t turn up in cop suits but they were there, pulling up in the carpark, giving their report and then moving on to the next joint.

“The temptation for the guys to man-hug and gather in group to have a yarn was pretty high but they knew what was expected.”

A player from Mudgeeraba Redbacks Rugby League Football Club.

Their presence couldn’t detract from the positive vibes as “40-plus” of Mudgee’s under-20s, reserve graders and A Grade players trained together for the first time in months.

Forbes said their return to training had reinvigorated the squad as they prepared for a difficult step up into the competition’s top flight after years in reserve grade.

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“It sucks, this timing, because we’ve come off three Grand Finals in the lower grade so we had momentum leading in,” the coach said.

“We had an awesome pre-season and we’d recruited well and then next minute everything stopped because of COVID.

Mudgeeraba rugby league players Jackson Gisinger, Dion Taumata, Nathan Schwass, Kane Kelleher, Kyle Williams, Billy Jeffress, Matt Smith and Jesse Rewita.

“Being the new kids we wanted that momentum and now we’ll have to get that back.

“Coming back to training has lit that fire in players but also the coaches and support staff.”

The Redbacks were buoyed by the appearance of several new faces from rival clubs at the training session.

Whether they return once their own teams start up training again is yet to be determined.

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