Seminars to educate players on protocols

QUEENSLAND’S NRL players will head back to school today as clubs prepare to host education seminars on the code’s strict new biosecurity protocols.

Players and staff across the NRL will meet today to discuss what is expected of them over the next month and dissect a raft of new measures introduced to get the competition back underway on May 28.

It comes as the Broncos, Cowboys and Titans get ready to head back to training as early as tomorrow for a threeweek pre-season training block.

Clubs were expected to receive the final copy of the biosecurity arrangements yesterday and will use today’s meeting to inform their players of the new protocols.

If all players and staff agree to the terms, then training will return tomorrow – albeit slightly different to the way things were.

A reduced “bubble” of just 32 players and 18 staff members will be allowed on site as the game attempts to limit the number of people involved.

Players will also be limited to training in just groups of 10 for the rest of this week.

The raft of new measures put in place by the NRL comes as the code attempts to prevent further outbreaks of COVID-19.

Most players are understood to be supportive of the new measures, which include compulsory flu injections to play and having their homes approved by a club medical officer.

ARLC chairman Peter V’landys also encouraged players to download the Federal Government’s COVIDSAFE app as a further precaution.

“Of all the tests that have been done, only 1 per cent are positive, the virus has been well contained by the Government … and if everyone downloads the app the virus will be extinguished sooner rather than later,” V’landys said on Channel 9’s Sport Sunday.

“We are going to discuss that (downloading the app) with the players (on Monday) – everything is done in consultation and agreement.”