CDRL to try for an U18 season

CAIRNS District Rugby League hasn’t given up on providing a way for the sport’s most critical age group to get on the field, with the door wide open for clubs to reconsider the decision to cancel the 2020 season.

The under-18s competition was among those canned a month ago when the CDRL voted to not go ahead with a season, removing a major step in the developmental pathway.

The Queensland Rugby League has been working on ways to provide a playing field for the “most important” U15 and U18 age groups, regardless of whether community leagues went ahead, with a school-based format the most likely option.

CDRL secretary/operations manager Pat Bailey said the plans were achievable and would ensure that most of the Far North’s U18 players, who play as part of the senior league, would not miss out on a year’s worth of footy.

“That would be great and it would probably be the best way to do it, but there’s still a lot of kids that are in that (U18) age group who are working or finished school,” she said.

Bailey said the CDRL would explore running its own U18 competition, provided clubs were keen and players were eligible for QRL assistance.

The QRL last week announced a $500,000 rescue package for clubs, which will help cover insurance costs of players from U6 to U18.

While the U18s competition is run by the senior administrative body, they are classified by the QRL as juniors.

QRL regional general manager Glenn Ottaway said the decisions made by clubs and league must be respected.

But, he said, every league had to make a decision based not just on what happens this year, but into 2021 and beyond.

“The under-18s age group is challenging to retain, and any decision to keep them engaged is usually a smart one,” Ottaway said. “That’s what sustains the senior competitions into the future.

“Clubs need to look at whether it’s sustainable and affordable, and what damage could be done if we don’t have the under-18s.”

While an ambitious plan for a condensed CDRL-run U18s comp was in the infant stages, Bailey said game days could be held at West Barlow Park.

“If you had six clubs with an U18s team, you could play it at the one ground on a Sunday and have three games, starting at noon, 1.30pm and 3pm. If we had eight teams, we could start them a bit earlier.

“At the end of the day, we will be guided by the QRL.”

The CDJRL chose not to comment on whether it would be open to running an U18s comp, with club presidents to meet tonight.

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