GROUP Three Rugby League clubs and board members will meet via a Zoom conference on Tuesday night, May 12 to discuss the possibility of playing a revamped season in 2020.
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Area manager Kevin Hill will chair the meeting.
Last month the clubs voted to scrap this year's competition citing concerns about paying registration and insurance fees, the possible loss of sponsors and doubts on whether spectators would be admitted to grounds. Enforcing social distancing regulations was another potential problem for clubs.
However, Group Three chairman Wayne Bridge said the group would now 'revisit' the decision.
"The NSWRL wants us to play some football this year - under 18s and women's league tag at least,'' Mr Bridge said.
However, Mr Bridge said the possibility of playing an open grade competition would also be tabled. This would mean the clubs would only have to field one senior team, with reserve grade being axed for this season.
Mr Bridge said he expects there would also be discussion about playing a regular four grade season. He said if clubs are in favour of playing, then there will be discussion about how long the season would run.
"If we start in mid-July and play two rounds and semi-finals we'd be playing to late October or early November and that's something we'd have to talk about,'' Mr Bridge said.
"We may go for a 10 week competition.''
Mr Bridge added that he has received feedback from players who have indicated they weren't consulted by clubs when the original decision was made the can the season.
He added East Coast Regional delegates met via last week via a hook-up. This takes in Groups Two and Three and the Northern Rivers Region Rugby League. Group Two has moved a motion that the NSWRL cover the costs of registrations/insurance for all community clubs in country NSW. This would be achieved by using the cash reserves from the Country Rugby League that were added to the NSWRL finances when the bodies merged last year.
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Mr Bridge said a NSWRL decision on this will determine whether the Group Two competition is played this year.
He confirmed that two Group Three clubs, Old Bar and Forster-Tuncurry, have made overtures to play out the season in Group Two if the competition does go ahead. Group Two currently takes in clubs from Macksville to Grafton.
Mr Bridge said Group Three would also consider covering referee payments. These are usually paid by clubs.
He added clubs could also opt not to pay players this year. Mr Bridge is certain the majority of players would be happy just to get a game and money wouldn't be an issue.
"But in the end it will be up to the clubs. We'll get their thoughts on the matter on Tuesday night,'' he said.
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