Illawarra Division Rugby League (IDRL) are pleased to confirm that senior and junior competitions will resume on 18 July, after the commencement of the season was deferred due to COVID-19.
Understandably, competitions will look slightly different to past seasons after the significant disruption, which has impacted junior and senior clubs in a variety of areas.
IDRL remain committed, along with its South Coast/Group Seven Rugby League partners, to see competitions in the junior merged competitions (u13-u16s) up and running in these vital development pathways. Bendigo Bank junior league competitions for under 6 – 12 ages will also be catered for in a modified season.
Following considerable consultation with all senior clubs, administrators in other competition regions, and NSWRL, Illawarra Division Rugby League is pleased to announce that despite the withdrawal of several clubs, a viable first grade competition for the MCR Illawarra League Cup has been confirmed.
Thirroul, Helensburgh, Corrimal and Western Suburbs have been able to negotiate their way through mandatory COVID-19 protocols and have commitment from players to form a viable first grade competition.
Aside from the first-grade competition, all other senior male and South32 Women’s League competitions will proceed with viable numbers confirmed.
Newly-appointed IDRL Board of Management Chairman, Gerry Murphy, was thrilled that IDRL have been able to confirm the return of competitions, despite considerable challenges and a great deal of work to get to this point.
“I am pleased to confirm that Rugby League in Illawarra will resume on 18 July, which is a great result for the game locally.
“The effort to get to this announcement has been significant, and I wish to thank all local clubs and other stakeholders in the game we have worked with to make this a reality”, Murphy stated.
“The MCR Illawarra League Cup first grade competition appears set to be very competitive with plenty of familiar names to Rugby League followers involved, and will also provide a great opportunity for some young talent to state their case as genuine first grade players into future years”, added Murphy.
South32 Women’s League competitions in open age, under 18 and open leaguetag will also commence in parallel with men’s competitions, which commence on 17 July and wrap up on 26/27 September.
