Stakeholders support decision to cancel 2020 edition of Hottest sevens over COVID-19 fears

THE decision to cancel the 2020 edition of the Hottest 7s was met with widespread understanding from stakeholders with lack of incoming teams due to COVID a big factor

Stakeholders have supported the move to cancel the 2020 edition of the Hottest 7s. Picture: KERI MEGELUS

THE decision to cancel the 2020 edition of the Hottest 7s was met with widespread understanding from stakeholders with lack of incoming teams due to COVID a big factor.

However, the next edition of the tournament may be played in a different timeslot in the code’s calendar with a date yet to be locked in for the 2021 event.

At the time of cancellation on September 1 27 teams had registered for the competition across four division with others expressing interest but awaiting the final decision.

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Each year the NTRU takes a commercial risk in hosting the renowned event and though the Hottest 7s brings in big crowds the NTRU did take a $2000 hit in 2019.

NTRU president Denys Stedman said there was disappointment from some of the stakeholders, but they ultimately understood why the decision was made.

“The stakeholders have actually been quite supportive of the decision to cancel given the potential burn out from playing two local competitions this year,” Stedman said.

“There’s also the issue of local teams primarily playing other locals with a lot entering for the chance to play the best interstate or international sides.

“Now we might have been able to get teams from interstate but we don’t know how things will sit come November and didn’t want to commit to an event only to have teams pull out.

“We take a commercial risk in holding the event each year but we don’t put it on to make money but to boost the sport here, though you could say we’re $2000 better off this year.”

NTRU CEO Tamie Needham echoed Stedman’s comments saying that the current COVID environment meant everyone understood the reasoning behind the cancellation.

“Everyone was understanding of the decision given the environment that we’re living in right now,” Needham said.

“It was certainly disappointing to have to cancel but we made it clear that a final decision would be made on September 1 so that teams would have enough time to prepare afterwards.

“There was plenty of interest with 27 teams registered and more waiting, though only 15 of those teams would have been able to come up at the time we made the decision.”

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Those still hungry to return to the rugby pitch over the wet season will get their chance with the next Darwin competition to commence on October 24.

“With our new season structure spectators and players looking for some rugby can still come along to watch the upcoming competition,” Stedman said.