Sports groups address virus

NETBALL

Toowoomba Netball Association has suspended the start of its season until May,

“It has been decided, in line with the direction given and more importantly in order to protect our netball community, that we will postpone the commencement date for Saturday fixtures until May,” TNA said in a post on Facebook.

“We have not taken this decision lightly and have set a new timetable ensuring that the number of rounds have not been reduced.”

The new timetable can viewed on the TNA Facebook page.

RUGBY LEAGUE

The board made the decision last night to temporarily suspend the start of the TRL for this weekend (March 21 and 22), with the Toowoomba Junior Rugby League also cancelling all fixtures set down for this weekend and next (March 28).

The QRL met last night with a decision to be made today on competitions under its control.

RUGBY UNION

All Downs Rugby affiliated and sanctioned competitions, including training, have been suspended until May 2.

The move is in accordance with the decision handed down on Monday afternoon by Rugby Australia and Queensland Rugby.

The recommended suspension leaves a window from Saturday, May 2 to Saturday, September 12 for local club competitions to be played, if circumstances allow.

“This public health emergency we’re working through is unprecedented and today’s announcement on community rugby takes into account all the relevant information provided by public health bodies, government and Rugby Australia,” QRU CEO David Hanman said.

“We’re putting in place policies and procedures that don’t place players, volunteers, staff and other stakeholders at unnecessary risk.

“This moratorium on community rugby also allows the

QRU time to plan at the community level and implement new participation/competition structures that would allow Queenslanders to participate in rugby within the designated window, should circumstances allow.”

TOUCH FOOTBALL

Toowoomba’s junior touch football stars will have the chance to get their hands on some silverware this weekend.

“With the outbreak of COVID-19 threatening touch and other sports competitions throughout Australia and the advice we have been given following talks with Touch Football Australia and the Queensland Touch Association and under the government guidelines we will be able to continue playing our junior finals this week,” Toowoomba Touch Association said on Facebook.

“For full details please go to our website for local information or the Queensland Touch website for full review and recommendations from TFA.”