Runaway Bay Seagulls vote unanimously in favour of returning to 2020 competition

Senior players led the discussion at an emergency meeting, where players voted unanimously in favour of returning without pay.

UPDATE: THIRTY Runaway Bay players have voted unanimously to play out the 2020 season without pay at an emergency meeting called by the club on Tuesday night.

The meeting followed a shock decision by the Rugby League Gold Coast board to proceed with the season following a private vote of the clubs.

Runaway Bay and Ormeau Shearers were surprised to learn they were the only clubs who voted against a return, spurring Seagulls management to re-open negotiations with their playing group.

The Burleigh Bears Waka Wanahi is crash tackled over the sideline during the Gold Coast Rugby League Grand Final against the Runaway Bay Seagulls today at Pizzy Park. Photo Scott Powick Daily News

League MVP Jenan Wedderburn-Parrish, who said he would not sacrifice his salary earlier this week, led the discussion alongside senior players Jack Mackin and Jimmy Poland.

The group voted unanimously in favour of returning without pay, A Grade coach Nick Gleeson said.

“It was nice to see,” Gleeson said.

“From a club point of view it means we’re heading in the right direction with culture and our boys want to play with us not just because of money.

“They’re fully committed and we’ll see where it goes, but their actions will speak louder than words when we get back to training.”

Gleeson stressed the club had not reached a final verdict but would continue to evaluate with the intention of playing should restrictions ease as expected.

Only Ormeau Shearers have commited to withdrawing from 2020.

THE COMPLETE RUGBY LEAGUE GOLD COAST SAGA

1. Govt warned clubs face financial ruin under restrictions

2. In or out? Coast footy clubs decide 2020 season

3. Ormeau walks away: ‘They’re not talking the truth’

4. The heartbroken faces behind Coast footy closure

5. Battle lines drawn: ‘We can’t hide under blankets’

6. ‘It’s ridiculous’: Killer call will affect thousands

7. ‘I won’t play for free’: Coast MVP’s brave admission

8. Clubs left in darkness as decision delayed

9. What RLGC decision means for your club

EARLIER

Runaway Bay have called an emergency meeting with their playing group to reconsider their stance on pulling out of the 2020 Senior competition.

Star hooker Jenan Wedderburn-Parrish told the Bulletin yesterday that the Seagulls players had expressed their disappointment that they could miss out on the season.

The ability to pay the playing group will be a critical factor as players cast their votes at 6.30pm tonight.

Club president Graham Gleeson said the club was open to changing their position if his players were willing to make a concession on wages.

“At the moment we’re holding firm,” he said.

“It might come down to where we might start but that would be affected by restrictions anyway.

“If players make the commitment to play for the love of the game, that’s the only we could financially afford to play.

“We’ll do a vote on what players think and we’ll work it out from there.”

Ormeau Shearers president John Coulter did not respond to requests for comment on whether the RLGC board’s decision to proceed with the season on July 25 would change his club’s stance.

Coulter said yesterday that his club would not participate in the season regardless of Monday night’s outcome.