NRL convinces Queensland government to let families fly north

Families will begin flying north on Wednesday after the NRL finally won the approval of the Queensland government.

Families will begin flying north on Wednesday after NRL chief executive Andrew Abd made good on his promise to win the approval of the Queensland government. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The NRL has been given the green light to get families into Queensland. Chief executive Andrew Abdo confirmed the good news to frustrated family members of players and officials on Monday night, clearing the way for them to start flying north on Wednesday.

The development means South Sydney half Benji Marshall can also start packing his bags for Queensland, having initially remained in Sydney to be with his wife Zoe and their newborn Ever J.

Having relocated the entire competition to Queensland, the NRL has been locked in talks with the state government since the weekend in an attempt to convince them to throw open the border to family members.

They finally reached a breakthrough with the Queensland government on Monday.

“Thank you for your patience over the last few days,” Abdo wrote in a letter to family members on Monday night.

“I’m delighted to inform you, that as promised, we will be able to reunite you with your family in Queensland soon. The Queensland government has this evening approved our application to relocate Sydney based families to the Gold Coast.

“Your flights will leave from Sydney this Wednesday. When you arrive on the Gold Coast, you will commence 14-days quarantine at an NRL-managed family hub in Surfers Paradise before being reunited with your partners at the club hotels.

“The majority of families will be free to move around the resort and make use of the facilities while in quarantine. Families who are based in the three local government areas, which are currently under NSW Public Health orders not to leave, will also be permitted to travel.”

The news will ease some of the concerns of players and family members, who were left in limbo after the Queensland government initially rejected the NRL’s application to have them join the players.

Abdo vowed to do work around the clock to get the Queensland government on side.

“I want to thank you all for the patience you have shown while our team has worked closely with Queensland and NSW Governments to have the necessary exemptions approved,” Abdo said.

“We promised all players and families that you would be reunited and I’m pleased to say that we are now delivering on the promise.

“We all have a responsibility to ensure we keep the Queensland community safe and healthy. My team will be in touch with you directly over the next 24 hours to ensure you clearly understand the conditions and protocols we must comply with.

“Thank you for making yourself available so promptly today for COVID-19 testing. The sacrifices you are making to keep the competition going is not lost on the Australian Rugby League Commission, or myself.

“We will do all we can to make the relocation as comfortable as possible for you and your children and we will be arranging some additional support for you during the 14 days.”

Under the guidelines sent to family members at the weekend, they will be required to undergo at least four more Covid-19 tests on their arrival in Queensland before they are cleared to join their partners in the NRL hub.

Having resolved the impasse with the Queensland government over families, the ARL Commission and NRL can now turn their attention to some of the other big issues in the game, most notably the World Cup and expansion.

The ARL Commission is expected to confirm this week that Australia will not send a team to the World Cup in England later this year while expansion is on a knife’s edge given the financial damage the game is suffering through Covid-19.