The NSW Rugby League has been given approval this evening by the NSW Health Minister, The Hon Brad Hazzard, to increase venue capacity to allow for larger crowds for Grand Finals being held across the state this weekend.
Mr Hazzard said that where Junior League Grand Finals are being played at “major recreation facilities”, where it is possible to ticket and seat attendees, the maximum crowd will be 25 per cent of the seating capacity of the venue.
For the significant majority of community grounds that don’t have seats, those grounds will only have one field operating a time and the capacity for those venues will remain at 500.
For other venues that have multiple fields in use at the same time, specific exemptions have been applied for and granted. In relation to Macquarie University and Tuggerah Sporting Complex, up to 500 spectators per field will be permitted.
The NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said he was confident these changes would allow for everyone wanting to attend to do so as the organisation prepares to host almost 400 community football Grand Finals across 50 venues this weekend.
Spectators are reminded of the need to maintain 1.5m social distancing, to observe the COVID-19 safe convention of one person per 4 square metres and that people do not congregate in groups of more than 20.
“We are very grateful to the Minister for Health Brad Hazzard and the Department of Health for facilitating a commonsense solution that will allow our season to be completed in a way that lets everyone celebrate the great success of being able to get community sport happening in such a difficult time," Trodden said.
“We wish everyone involved in finals this weekend an enjoyable and COVID-safe day.”
The NSWRL will continue to comply with the Public Health Orders and advice of the NSW Government so as to play our part in limiting the possible spread of coronavirus across the state and reminds all clubs that COVID-19 Safety Plans must continue to be strictly enforced.
