V’landys plans fans’ return

WITH the NRL’s return just days away, ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys has revealed his next mission: To get paying members back at games by July 1, and sponsors even sooner.

While clubs have copped some backlash for asking members to keep up their financial support through the coronavirus shutdown, V’landys said now he wanted to reward them for their loyalty.

Asked if he had a specific date in mind when he thinks crowds will return, V’landys didn’t hesitate: “I am going to aim for July 1 to see what we can do. We want the sponsors in there as quickly as possible.

“You are allowed so many people so we will start looking at that with the biosecurity measures in the coming weeks.

“And I am not saying capacity crowds. I have to stress capped crowds. That is one way you can reward the members that have stuck firm.”

Asked about how many members would be allowed to attend games, V’landys added: “It depends on the ground and how far you can distance them.

“In ANZ you might be able to get 20,000 with social distancing, whereas somewhere like Kogarah you might get 5000. I am only guessing these figures.”