Newcastle Rugby League have changed their stance on running competitions without crowds in 2020 and are set to introduce player payment caps, optional open grades and use only four venues if given the green light later this week.
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Clubs were sent an update on Monday and Newcastle RL chief executive officer Matt Harris said they were now waiting on advice from NSW Rugby League and the state government about what coronavirus guidelines would need to be followed for a season to go ahead.
Harris told the Newcastle Herald that "participation" had been one of the key factors in the shift of thinking from late April along with "reducing the workload of volunteers".
Newcastle RL, who previously indicated competitions would not proceed if any limits on mass gathering were still in place, are proposing to undertake operational duties on game day with clubs responsible for getting teams "in and out".
Clubs would need to weigh up what teams to enter in a potentially two-tiered open grade, under 19s and women's Blues Tag. Third grade would likely be dropped.
Player payments, in firsts only, take a significant hit and may be capped at $200 per individual each game.
Maitland, Cessnock, Charlestown's St John Oval and Newcastle's No.2 Sportsground have been put forward as possible venues.
A "profit sharing arrengement" between Newcastle RL and clubs would be explored if COVID-19 restrictions were eased enough later in the year to allow crowds, meaning the collection of gate, canteen and bar.
The correspondence from Newcastle RL to clubs also said: "While we are optimistic about getting a competition up and running this season any such decision cannot be confirmed until the return-to-play protocols are finalised and the consequences of their application understood."
NSWRL had been expected to review public health orders and make a call about the rest of 2020 on Monday, but instead released a statement saying they "were working towards final confirmation of a return to play" and were waiting on an upcoming community sport announcement by state premier Gladys Berejiklian.
As previously detailed, an abbreviated 10-round Newcastle RL season would start on July 18, have three weeks of finals and conclude with a decider on October 18.
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