Survey set to gauge club views on return

COMMUNITY rugby league clubs across the state will be sent a survey this week as the Queensland Rugby League aims to uncover how the regions feel about a return to rugby league in 2020.

The survey, which was devised by QRL Northern Division manager Scott Nosworthy, covers a range of topics including potential return dates, the need for added volunteers and financial struggles due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nosworthy told the Townsville Bulletin the QRL intended to get players back on the field as soon as possible, but that might not work for all clubs and associations.

“It is important that (the clubs) come back to us,” he said. “We need the feedback to find out what the clubs and leagues want.

“Are the clubs ready for (a return)? When will they be ready for it? What will the constraints be – what if we have to limit our fan numbers to 100? What if we need to clean benches after every match? These are the questions that need to be asked and answered.

“We are doing our best at a community level – our team in the QRL is working with the Government and with the ministers. Our clubs and our leagues have been really good as well. Our community rugby league goal is to get people back on the field.”

While he expected the rugby league landscape to see a significant shift in the wake of the pandemic, Nosworthy backed the region’s community clubs to fight their way back on to the field.

It is understood most clubs are in a strong financial position, with money in the coffers, to see their way out of the pandemic.

But without fans in the stands, it is unlikely the clubs will be able to host games and risk running at a financial loss.

“Our clubs and our people are in real uncertain times – lots of people have lost their jobs and are going through difficult times with their families

– but in that time they have managed to respond to us. They have banded together.

“Up until this week our percentage of responses (in the Northern region) was higher than other places in Queensland. That is a connectedness with our staff and the people in the clubs. It is also the North Queensland spirit, we really are one team up here.”

Nosworthy also shot down rumours the competition would return in June, and reiterated the QRL was yet to set any return to play date.