NRL clubs cleared to return to home grounds from July 2
NRL clubs will be allowed to return to their home venues from July 2 with fans in the stands.
NRL clubs will be allowed to return to their home venues from July 2 — Round 8 of the 2020 season.
The Australian Rugby League Commission said the decision has been made to end phase one of the consolidated venue strategy, which has seen the NRL only use Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Bankwest Stadium, Central Coast Stadium, Suncorp Stadium and Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.
Clubs will be allowed to play at their venue of choice from July 2, with capped crowds in NSW and Queensland and applications under consideration in Victoria and the ACT.
Crowds will be permitted at games in NSW from Round 8 provided they are capped at the lesser of 25 per cent of capacity or 10,000 fans.
The Queensland government will finalise crowd restrictions after a trial of crowds of up to 2000 this weekend.
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys said the decision to allow clubs to return to their traditional home grounds from Round 8 followed the accelerated return to crowds approval by government and health authorities.
“This is an outstanding outcome for our clubs, our players and importantly our fans who have been so loyal, and patient, throughout this crisis,” V’landys said. “Our fans are everything and the opportunity to have them back in their home ground stands, is the greatest reward of all for their unwavering passion. I cannot wait to see and hear the return of that tribalism which makes rugby league so special. I also want to thank the state and federal governments for their ongoing assistance and to the Queensland government for allowing crowds of up to 2000, that’s a great result for Queensland fans.”
V’landys added the return to home grounds would happen under continued tight protocols to protect crowd safety and that each venue would be required to have a COVID-safe plan in place.
The Daily Telegraph
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