ALL Illawarra Rugby players, including those at Shoals, will have to wait until June to play their first game this season, after Illawarra Rugby's COVID-19 statement on Monday.
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Following the recent announcement by Rugby Australia that all community rugby be suspended until May 2, the Illawarra Rugby board met on Monday and resolved;
All district rugby competitions are suspended until June 1, which includes training for all senior, junior and representative teams.
At this stage, the senior competition will abandon the first round and commence the competition in round two on Saturday, June 27 June - with each club playing each other once.
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Training may commence as of May 4 unless otherwise advised
The senior final series will be played as normal.
Details of dates and competition format for junior rugby will be advised in due course, however, it will not commence prior to May 4.
The Illawarra Rugby board has asked for confirmation of the representative programs from NSW Country.
They are meeting this week and we will advise their decision when it comes to hand.
These decisions are based on the current situation and information.
Should this change we will advise accordingly.
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Illawarra Rugby's decision to postpone the start of their 2020 season follows in the footsteps of the Shoalhaven Basketball Association decision to suspend all hoops actions, including their Waratah League seasons.
On top of this, numerous national and international sporting organisations such as International Hockey Federation, FIFA, Super Rugby and the World Surf League have postponed upcoming events - affecting South Coast athletes such as Grace Stewart (Gerringong), Kalindi Commerford (Mollymook), Adam Federici (Huskisson), Will Miller (Berry), Owen, Tyler and Mikey Wright (Culburra Beach) and Sally Fitzgibbons (Gerroa).