The Dubbo Kangaroos want to get back on the paddock this year but club president Gerald Webster can't see it happening without crowds.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The structure of any potential season in the Central West Rugby Union competitions was discussed in a number of meetings earlier this week.
The general feeling from those in the Blowes Clothing Cup - the competition Webster's club features in - was two full rounds rather than the originally scheduled three would work best if play could start from July 18.
That would allow all clubs to play each other home and away once while the season would finish without encroaching into the summer sport calendar.
"The consensus was if it's not two full rounds it's not a fair competition and then you may end up with a top three and shortened finals," Webster said.
"It would pretty difficult just to play one or two away games and then get up for finals."
The other issue for Webster, and so many others involved in winter sports trying to get their competitions up and running, is that of crowds.
READ ALSO:
None would be allowed under the current Public Health Act and while restrictions are starting to be eased around the state, it remains uncertain if member of the public would be allowed at any potential games from July.
"I think if it was going to go ahead we'd be wasting our time without crowds," Webster said.
"I don't think it could happen. It [crowds] makes everything go around. As it is, it's going to be hard to get all sponsors onboard for the season so we're just going to have to wait and see."
Central West Rugby Union chief executive Matt Tink said Webster echoed the views of many in the region.
Tink spoke to representatives from the five CWRU competitions on Tuesday and Wednesday night and while it was upbeat, the concerns remain.
"They want to play but they want to play with crowds," Tink said.
"The feeling was ... the clubs are not just players. There's sponsors, supporters, families, and Old Boys and the club provides for them all.
"They didn't rule it [no crowds] out but playing without crowds is not something they were overly keen on."
Orange Emus president Steve Fergus was one who said last week rugby was better placed to survive if it had to go ahead without crowds.
"We don't necessarily rely on that income to get teams onto the field," he said.
"It's not ideal but because it's an amateur competition, losing the bar money and gate takings won't hurt us all that much."
Further announcements in relation to community sport are expected to follow the national cabinet meeting on Friday, something Tink, the clubs and those involved in all winter sport are eagerly waiting for.
But for now it's about planning, and Webster said that was the biggest positive this week.
Clubs were largely unified and the 10 games and then finals system looking the likely one in the Blowes Clothing Cup and New Holland Agriculture Cup should play go ahead.
Things are slightly different in the Oilsplus Cup with eight clubs taking part there, so each side would likely play each other the once before finals.
The latest any of the competitions would go would be the October long weekend, a date no-one is keen on playing past.
"As long as guys get some rugby, that's the main thing," Webster said.
"Even if we have to look at some Tens [carnivals] around the region later in the year."
Do you want more sport from the Dubbo region? Sign up to our newsletters here:
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
