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NRL to have fans back next week

Major sponsors and corporate supporters are expected to get first crack as the game prepares to open the gates next weekend.

Bankwest Stadium can currently hold up to 300 corporate supporters under social distance guidelines Picture: Getty Images
Bankwest Stadium can currently hold up to 300 corporate supporters under social distance guidelines Picture: Getty Images

Major sponsors and corporate supporters are expected to get first crack as the game prepares to open the gates next weekend to crowds under strict social-distancing guidelines.

ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys secured a major victory for the code on Friday after convincing the NSW government to allow rugby league to adhere to the same guidelines as pubs and clubs.

That means they will be allowed to open corporate suites and function rooms to up to 50 people per room provided they are able to meet the social distancing requirements.

The latest developments mean supporters will be able to attend Manly’s game against Brisbane at Central Coast Stadium on Thursday night.

The stadium could accommodate about 200 people. Bankwest West Stadium may host between 300 and 350.

The NRL and their clubs have already set up a working group to decide who should be given priority access to the games given there will only be a limited number allowed into the stadium.

The decision is a huge victory for the clubs because it will allow them to assuage some of their corporate supporters and high-profile sponsors.

The Australian was told that Bankwest Stadium could host up to 300 people under the guidelines, although there was speculation the actual number could be up to double that amount.

“I am pleased that the government has corrected this anomaly,” V’Landys told The Weekend Australian.

The NRL had originally told the clubs that they hoped to have spectators back at games by round six but V’landys has been able to bring that forward by one week after discussions with the government on Friday.

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Under the government guidelines, capacity must not exceed 50 people in each separate seated food or drink area. Alternatively, only one customer is allowed per four square metres.

The NRL is only playing games at three venues in NSW – Central Coast Stadium, Bankwest Stadium and Campbelltown Stadium have been locked in until round nine.

The NRL will revisit venues from round 10 as they look to lobby the government to allow more people through the gates, and potentially into grandstand seating. If that is the case, they may look to return games to ANZ Stadium – although the ground is not as palatable to broadcasters, it would allow more people to attend given the greater space and increased access to corporate facilities.

Likewise, the decision to play games at Bankwest Stadium now looks a masterstroke given the corporate facilities on offer.

Brent Read
Brent ReadSenior Sports Writer

Brent Read is one of rugby league's agenda setters but is also among the nation's most well-known golf writers. He also covers Olympic sports, writing with authority, wit and enthusiasm. Brent began his career in sport as a soccer player, playing with the Brisbane Strikers in the NSL.

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-to-have-fans-back-next-week/news-story/04ecde6562832896e91d8395779716ec