WITH light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel, the Limestone Coast Rugby League fraternity hopes its summer season will be unaffected.
The biggest issue of the 2020-21 Limestone Coast Rugby League season – expected to run from late September through to December – lies with teams based in Victoria.
At this stage, interstate travel between South Australia and Victoria is banned, which must be overturned for play to start in the cross-border competition, which includes teams from Mount Gambier and Naracoorte on the South Australian side of the border.
To prepare for the possible campaign, the Blue Lake Knights participated in their first pre-season training session.
The team adhered to social-distancing guidelines with a small group completing a strength and conditioning session on Sunday at Malseed Park.
The Knights will continue to train together with restrictions starting to ease.
Despite the virus making an impact during rugby’s off season in the region, the sport has not escaped unscathed.
Progress towards separate women’s and juniors competitions in the area have stalled.
Limestone Coast Rugby League representative Matthew Grubb said the halt in preparation has been a blow for the sport.
“I placed a huge emphasis on these competitions, not only for the growth of the game, but for the community as a whole,” he said.
“The game itself has so many physical and mental benefits for participants with opportunities for competitors no matter their gender, age or body shape.
“Unfortunately the pandemic and restrictions have put all of the hard work accomplished in the first quarter of 2020 on hold.
“But there are still great people on the ground pushing to continue the development of these competitions.”
However, talks might start in the near future after it was announced contact sport training can return from Monday, June 1.
People interested to become involved in the Blue Lake Knights’ men’s, women’s or juniors rugby teams can contact the club via its Facebook page.
