The announcement that NSW’s and Queensland’s second-tier rugby league competitions were to be cancelled this year due to coronavirus came earlier than expected.
Way back in late March, the NRL Head of Football – Participation, Pathways and Game Development Luke Ellis said the step had to be taken because “the health and safety of those involved with rugby league must always come first.”
The Canterbury Cup and Intrust Super Cup are the NRL’s semi-official talent pools, organised into a 12-team competition in NSW and a 14-team comp in Queensland respectively. All clubs in both competitions are affiliated with a NRL club and players can slide between the two competitions, depending on form and injuries.
The system isn’t perfect but it does provide important behind-the-scenes player backup to the gruelling NRL competition as well as giving a pathway for up-and-coming players. For now though, those second-tier teams are training but not playing, kept in a season-long holding pattern with nowhere to go.
As I see it, this causes two major problems. At a time when top-level NRL players are being asked to push their bodies in less than ideal circumstances, the reserve pool of players – while technically available – are totally lacking in match practice and some of them are training less.
There is also the financial aspect for the clubs involved in these secondary competitions. With no matches taking place, sponsors are getting cold feet and income from gate takings is missing. The teams that aren’t aligned with a powerful leagues club are really feeling the financial pinch.
The historic club Newtown Jets has tried a few fundraisers in the last few months to keep the money coming in. One of their more charming initiatives is called “Laps with Trady” where fans can make donations to push one of the club’s super fans to keep cycling around their home ground, Henson Park.
John Trad doing his “Laps with Trady” initiative at Henson Park. (Image: Andre Leslie).
John Trad normally cycles his specially-equipped penny farthing around Henson after the Jets score a try each weekend, often leading a trail of kids. For the moment though, he’s completing lonely laps around the Sydney club’s home ground on Saturday afternoons – with only the occasional dog-walker watching on.
Meanwhile, the former top-flight club North Sydney Bears, who have played in the Canterbury Cup since 2003, have decided they want to keep playing, no matter where. The team has registered in a mixed regional and city competition for this season, being dubbed the President’s Cup, featuring teams such as the Maitland Pickers and the Cessnock Goannas.
Never heard of them? No, neither have I.
Trying to find details of this last-minute competition is difficult and although teams will be pleased to be back on the park, I’m sure things won’t be as well organised as they normally are in the Canterbury Cup.
With some community and junior rugby league competitions set to return in NSW and Queensland on July 18 under the code’s “Return to Play” guidelines, and as the NRL charges on unperturbed by Victoria’s recent spike in COVID-19 cases, it’s clear that the sport’s administrators think it is safe to return to the field if the right protocols are being followed.
So, you have to wonder: did the NRL’s two feeder competitions really need to get the flick so early?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I feel given the financial predicament all governing bodies are in it’s a big ask. So many top tier teams have been hit due to lack of attendance, and the impact that has on memberships. The other concern is given the long economic recovery, future sponsorships may be difficult to come by. I honestly think that AFL/NRL/Super Rugby teams may need extra assistance in 2021 and 2022 because of this. I can see what the second tier competitions add. But in batten down the hatches time’s, sometimes the focus just has to be keeping the show rolling.
Andre Leslie
Roar Guru
Hi Train... I understand that business approach, of course. It's a bit like the hotel or restaurant that doesn't bother to open during COVID-19, because it knows already that it won't be able to balance its books. Still, I figure the NRL could have put its hand into its pocket and offered some assistance here for its main feeder leagues. They were obviously partially involved in the decision to shut down the comps. Maybe their financial situation - or if Channel 9 is to be believed, their financial discipline - didn't allow it.
Andre Leslie
Roar Guru
I also hope he gets to make that debut soon, Michael. You are very right to point out the ramifications for the young players' livelihoods and finances. It's something I glossed over a bit in the article above. These young players are yet another segment of Australia's sporting scene that have been hit hard by the coronavirus lockdown.
Andre Leslie
Roar Guru
The statement above is from Luke Ellis from the NRL.. basically because it summarises the background of the move ... but the decision to cancel the comps came from the NSWRL and the Queensland Rugby League. The statements went out on their websites first and they are pretty clearly taking responsibility for the decisions.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Realistically. Probably yes. I had heard from Shute Shield and Hospitals Cup clubs that generally they didn't want to start their competitions under crowd restrictions as that rely on crowds and sponsorship for their income. Paying players coaches and staff, with no income would leave most in quite a financial hole. 2nd tier Rugby League clubs would in most cases be in the same boat. Especially with club revenue destroyed for 3 months.
matth
Roar Guru
Tough times Michael, I hope your boy gets his debut soon.
Michael Butterfield
Roar Rookie
My son plays in the Qld Intrustsuper Cup, he was to make his debut for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in Round 2 but the compass suspended then cancelled, the ARLC concentrated their funding for the NRL, with PNG Hunters in the Comp & the borders closed it made it hard to carry on, there was talk of setting up a comp for the clubs in South East Qld as the BRL is starting up and they didn't want the Q Cup players flooding the BRL, I asked my son if he was going to play BRL as he is duel registered, he said he is waiting to see if there will be any renumeration to the players, remember a lot of players did rely on their football money & have lost their jobs as well, some of the players have gone back to NZ because they didn't qualify for job keeper & seeker.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I went and bought a bit of extra merch from Souths to help them out. I do miss the magpies running around.
Big Daddy
Guest
Interesting article Andrew. Was it the NRL or NSWRL who cancelled the Canterbury Cup and QRL with the Intrust Cup. What you say with North's may be true as Presidents Cup is basically the Local Newcastle league comp run by NSWRL. Not all Newcastle teams wanted to participate as they were told at that stage no crowds. The Central Coast comp I believe will recommence July 18 but only as an amateur comp. This COVID situation has and will send some country clubs to the wall so it will be interesting what support will be given to these country clubs by the NRL and NSWRL. So far it's been about the big picture and not the game of rugby league as a whole.