’We’re at each other’s throats’: Infighting grows as Govt stalls

Helensvale Hornets president Wayne Court has drawn a line in the sand, declaring the State Government would put the “death sword into junior sport everywhere” unless COVID-19 restrictions were tripled.

Jordan Scott (Burleigh Bears) - Photo SMPIMAGES.COM / Newscorp - 21st September 2019 - Action from the 2019 Queensland Rugby League (QRL) Gold Coast Rugby League A-Grade Grand Final played between Burleigh Bears v Southport Tigers. Burleigh Bears ran out winners.

Helensvale Hornets president Wayne Court has drawn a line in the sand, declaring the State Government would put the “death sword into junior sport everywhere” unless COVID-19 restrictions were tripled.

Court, one of nine club presidents threatening to walk away from the 2020 Gold Coast Rugby League season, said until 300 people or more were permitted into rugby league clubs the consortium of Coast clubs would not consider a return to play.

Pictured at the Burleigh Bears Junior Rugby League Club, L-R Helensvale Hornets Coach Wayne Court , Xavier Sampson 7 of Robina Raptors JRLC , Ty Chapman of Gold Coast Rugby League ,Isaac Hawkins of Burleigh Bears JRLC and Bailey Court of Helensvale Hornets JRLC .

As Victoria’s coronavirus outbreak picks up speed - with 41 new cases discovered overnight - any Government decision appears further away than ever.

“It’s been a nightmare; for the presidents, Brendon (Lindsay, competition manager) and the Board” Court conceded.

“We’re all in this s---fight together and that’s being controlled by the State Government at the end of the day.

“That’s what’s driving our frustrations, we’re at each other’s throats but we’re all controlled by others.

Jordan Scott (Burleigh Bears) - Photo SMPIMAGES.COM / Newscorp - 21st September 2019 - Action from the 2019 Queensland Rugby League (QRL) Gold Coast Rugby League A-Grade Grand Final played between Burleigh Bears v Southport Tigers. Burleigh Bears ran out winners.

“It’s none of our faults with these restrictions, the majority hinges on the Premier lifting restrictions.

“(Sports minister) Mick de Brenni said the other day that they’d consider bringing the number forward to 120, with stipulations - if that’s the case he’s put the death sword into junior sport everywhere.”

Court said RLGC’s efforts to provide clarity into season dates and a generous financial support package had been gratefully received, but those would not overcome the reality of the clubs situations.

“They’ve given us an idea about the draw, what the competition would look like and funding, but the show stopper is the State Government,” he said.

“The financial side is hard, but the main thing is it’s impossible to work with numbers under 300 minimum.”

EARLIER: The Gold Coast Rugby League board have beaten a race against the clock to break a club boycott but a state government slip-up could mean it has all been for nought.

The Coast’s governing body has scrambled to assemble a season draw and nail down financial information in response to a Friday deadline set by a block of nine clubs, who threatened to walk away from the season last Sunday.

The disgruntled nine, which included A Grade sides Currumbin, Mudgeeraba, Ormeau and Runaway Bay, demanded information on playing dates, venue numbers and financial particulars no later than yesterday in an ultimatum leaked to the Bulletin.

RLGC meet club demands, now it’s up to State Govt

Gold Coast Rugby League have delivered on two of those demands but were unable to clarify on venue numbers after a health department delay prevented the release of information on easing Stage 3 COVID-19 restrictions.

Competition manager Brendon Lindsay said the Board had done everything in its power to answer the clubs questions by deadline.

“The last piece is the State Government and unfortunately that’s out of our control,” he said.

“We were hopeful we could have included that info but we couldn’t because it hasn’t been announced.

“That will be last piece of information our clubs will be looking at.”

THE RUGBY LEAGUE GOLD COAST SAGA

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■ ‘Stand together or die apart’: Club’s warning for outcasts

■ The crazy plan that could save Coast clubs

■ First league stars jump ship for rugby union

A nine-week junior season will begin on July 24, with a senior season of the same length starting one week later.

The final two weekends of September will host grand finals for junior (Sept 18-20) and seniors (Sept 25-27).

Returning clubs will buoyed by significant financial support from RLGC, Queensland Rugby League and Australian Rugby League Commission, GM Lindsay said.

The RLGC has elected to waive all player administration fees for 2020, slashing an expected $100,000 off the cost of playing rugby league for the community.

Further expenses will be saved with an ARLC payment of $500,000, which a QRL spokesman said would cover the insurance costs of every junior club in the state.

RLGC meet club demands, now it’s up to State Govt

The rollout of those funds will be handled by QRL’s southeast Queensland division, with details to be confirmed next week.

Rugby League Gold Coast have committed to invest $40,000 towards “senior and junior costs” in the region, supported by another $44,000 from QRL towards senior football and referee costs on the Coast.

“There has been a lot of work in the financial space to try and make the season work and honestly it’s been needed, most definitely,” Lindsay said.

“We’ll be able to cover some costs, like referees, and portions of bills.

“The positive for us is our community has rallied together to provide some security around finances and chip in where they can, which is great.”

The fate of the RLGC livestreaming service, provided by contractors BarTV, will be determined at a later date.