Following the announcement by Rugby Australia this afternoon relating to COVID-19 and community Rugby across Australia, Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) will suspend all affiliated and sanctioned community Rugby competitions - including training - until Saturday, 2 May 2020.
The sanctioning of competitions is one of the QRU’s key responsibilities, along with full compliance with our public health responsibilities around grass-roots Rugby.
During this time, the QRU is encouraging clubs and other affiliated bodies to follow public health information and procedures regarding containment of the spread of COVID-19, from the World Health Organisation, Australian Federal Government, Rugby Australia and Queensland Health.
There are immediate logistical issues for clubs affiliated to the QRU, meaning clubs would often exceed the mandatory Federal Government mass-gathering policy.
The recommended suspension would leave a window from Saturday 2 May through to Saturday 12 September 2020, preserved for local club competitions to be played, if circumstances allow.
Schools Rugby governance will continue to sit with the relevant principal and associated administrations.
QRU CEO David Hanham said: “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.
“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.
“We will continue to work with our clubs and affiliate bodies on measures to assist them during this challenging period, we’re mindful that this global heath-crisis is bigger than sport and the health and welfare of the communities of Queensland remain our priority.”
