Group 11's decision to abandon the 2020 season won't be overturned despite the state government announcing senior sporting competitions can return from July 1.
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Group 11 president Bob Walsh said it was incredibly frustrating to have the announcement come on Wednesday morning when there had been no indication in the past week from the government an update would be made.
But despite the frustration, the unanimous decision on Tuesday to cancel the Group 11 senior competitions for this year won't be changed.
"It's not going to change the minds of Nyngan, Narromine, or Wellington," Walsh said.
"Nyngan had already made their mind up and had told me on Friday they wouldn't be playing and it was more of a fundraising thing anyway."
The state government had announced a July 1 return for junior sport last week.
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Walsh is a NSWRL board member and he had been in contact with NSWRL chief executive David Trodden on Wednesday morning.
Trodden was equally shocked, as he and many other heads of sporting organisations had met with government sport and health officials last Friday and were reportedly told there no update was imminent.
"I could not believe it," Walsh said of Wednesday's announcement.
"I was talking to David Trodden ... he was told nothing would change and there would be no further advice and then, bang, it changes again.
"It's frustrating."
While senior sport has been given the green light, sporting organisations are still left waiting on a lot more details.
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said, on the basis of health advice, crowds could not at this point gather in the stands.
That was one of the major questions from clubs in Group 11 and all over the state and the wait for update there goes on.
What health requirements and protocol is required training and on game day is also yet to be confirmed while many sporting clubs also rely on the support of licenced premises, many of which are just starting to get back on their feet amid the COVID-19 enforced lockdown.
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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.
