Woy Woy Lions activities postponed at least until May

The Woy Woy Lions Rugby Club will not be back at Rogers Park until at least the first week of May.

Central Coast Rugby Union has announced that all rugby activities on the Coast have been postponed following directives from Rugby Australia.

Administrator Ms Kate Thomson said the board had discussed the implications of the postponement and would be doing everything in its power to assure that senior and junior competitions went ahead at a later date.

"The shape that the competition takes is to be confirmed and the board will be in regular contact with stakeholders over the coming weeks to devise fair and equitable competitions for all.

"We will look at starting the competition from May 16 to give all clubs two weeks to train in the lead up.

"The format is to be confirmed, but we intend to include at least one full round of competition and finals," Ms Thomson said.

Lions president Mr John Hewett said the club was complying in full with the directives it had received from Central Coast Rugby Union and was doing its best to prepare members for an uncertain year ahead.

"At the moment we're monitoring the situation and while I'm hopeful we'll be back on the field come May 16, I personally don't think that's going to happen," Mr Hewett said.

Mr Hewett said the biggest issues the Lions would face would be player retention and sponsorship when rugby gets the greenlight to return.

"It really is impossible to know where the Lions will be come three or fours months time," Mr Hewett said.

Ms Thomson said the board was already assessing ways it could ease the financial burden on its member clubs and will be looking at affiliation fees and contacting Central Coast Council regarding council ground fees to see if these can be reduced this season.

SOURCE:

Press release, 17 Mar 2020

Kate Thomson, Central Coast Rugby Union

Interview (Dilon Luke), 26 Mar 2020

John Hewett, Woy Woy Lions Rugby Club