Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

NRL reluctant to follow AFL in mandating COVID-19 vaccine

NRL reluctant to follow AFL in mandating COVID-19 vaccine
October 22, 2021

NRL Chief Executive Andrew Abdo has revealed that the governing body will not be mandating a COVID-19 vaccine policy for players but has warned that those who are no vaccinated players will likely be subject to more stringent protocols.

Hours after the AFL mandated that its players will have to be vaccinated by mid-February, Abdo said the NRL will be taking a different approach.

The NRL has been grappling with mandatory vaccinations since the resumption of the 2020 season when several high-profile players expressed reluctance to be immunised.

Despite many businesses and rival codes mandating employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, Abdo said the NRL would leave it up to the players, telling Channel 7 “clearly we need to make sure we have continuity to the competition, and we are creating a safe working environment.

“We are busy working on the protocols for the players who are vaccinated and the players that are not vaccinated. Hopefully we are talking about a very small group of players. They will have, I’d imagine, some pretty rigorous requirements around what they will be able to do in order to train and play.”

However, Abdo acknowledged that the public health orders of state governments or airlines may force the NRL to change its approach, stating “of course this might be taken out of our hands by health orders or by airlines, so there will be repercussions for those that don’t choose to be vaccinated but it’s not our approach as a governing body to mandate it.

“Between now and the end of the off-season we will have a very clear set of guidelines for how the clubs and players can get back to training safely for those who are vaccinated and those who aren’t yet vaccinated.”

Abdo claimed some clubs had close to 90% of players and staff vaccinated with the governing body’s own staff up to 98%.

Abdo also revealed the NRL is working on one set of protocols for vaccinated players and another “rigorous” set for unvaccinated players.

He went on to state “in terms of answering the really hard question - what is our formal policy going to be for the new season? - the (Australian Rugby League) Commission has made this clear; we’re not taking an approach of making this mandatory, consistent with the way the federal and state governments are

“It’s definitely not mandatory to be vaccinated. However, we need to make sure in continuing the competition that we’re creating a safe working environment.”

The Sydney Roosters have previously advised of plans to ban unvaccinated fans from NRL fixtures in 2022.

Related Articles

22nd October 2021 - AFL introduces ‘no jab no play’ COVID-19 vaccination mandate

13th October 2021 - Redcliffe-based Dolphins announced as NRL’s 17th franchise for 2023 season

12th October 2021 - Data analytics company STR share impact on hospitality sector of AFL and NRL Grand Finals

8th October 2021 - Australian Rugby League Commission agrees expansion plans for 17th NRL team

1st October 2021 - Victorian Premier announces COVID vaccines will be mandatory for all essential workers in the state

1st October 2021 - More than 300,000 jabs administered at Qudos Bank Arena vaccination centre

30th September 2021 - Rising Coronavirus cases sees Suncorp Stadium crowd capped at 75% for NRL Grand Final

29th September 2021 - Ahead of NRL Grand Final Suncorp extends naming rights deal for Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium

24th September 2021 - Australian Government extends NRL partnership raising profile of vocational education and training

17th September 2021 - NRL clubs to receive up to $7 million in funding in COVID-19 Relief Package

14th September 2021 - NRL unveils support package for NRLW players after postponement of 2021 season

13th September 2021 - MCG encourages sport and entertainment fans to get vaccinated

9th September 2021 - Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium to host relocated NRL Grand Final

8th September 2021 - Regional Queensland secures NRL finals

29th August 2021 - What employers need to consider about vaccinations for staff and consumers

24th August 2021 - Sydney Roosters advise of plans to ban unvaccinated fans from NRL fixtures in 2022

1st August 2021 - NRL sidesteps Greater Brisbane lockdown with five games in two days at Suncorp Stadium

31st July 2021 - AFL and NRL fixtures cancelled as snap lockdown introduced in South East Queensland

12th July 2021 - NSW NRL clubs and Canberra Raiders to relocate to Queensland to counter NSW COVID-19 restrictions

11th June 2021 - NRL announces expansion of women’s competition to six teams

14th May 2021 - Suncorp Stadium ready for NRL Magic Round

24th March 2021 - NRL completes restructuring of its medical department

25th February 2021 - NRL cuts operating costs by more than a third in wake of Coronavirus challenges


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

HIB Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

HIB Insurance Brokers - Experts in Leisure and Amusement Insurance With over 20 years specialising in the Amusement and Leisure industries, we have the experience to understand your operations and…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Insurance / Recreation / Safety

 
 

IEDM

iEDM integrate Design, Engineering and Delivery Management services to convert existing spaces into exciting new entertainment venues. Our team consists of highly qualified professionals with diverse…

read more

Consultants / Design

 
 

Clubware

Clubware’s online gym software is not your run of the mill management system. It has been carefully designed to incorporate all the elements that a fitness club would need. How did we do that?…

read more

Access / Billing / Fitness / Recreation

 
 

Again Faster

ABOUT Again Faster is a Brisbane based, Australian owned supplier of strength and conditioning and functional fitness equipment. With nearly 10 years experience in the Australian market, we are…

read more

Fitness / Recreation

 
 

TPEC Pool Enclosures

TPEC Pool Enclosures provide a large range of premium commercial and residential retractable swimming pool, spa and terrace enclosures throughout Australia, servicing residential, local government…

read more

Aquatics / Design / Recreation / Venues

 
 

AAC

Welcome to AAC – makers of the world’s best wristbands, lanyards, tickets, tokens and full-service print solutions. We are Australia’s premier global manufacturer and supplier of…

read more

Access / Marketing / Safety / Ticketing

 
 

GEOFF NINNES FONG AND PARTNERS

Geoff Ninnes Fong & Partners (GNFP) is a structural, aquatic and civil engineering consultancy with broad experience in the design of new municipal and institutional swimming pools, hydrotherapy…

read more

Aquatics / Consultants / Design / Venues

 
 

Clubworx

Switch to smarter fitness management software with Clubworx based in Australia that enables fitness businesses to start or grow their business with ease. - all in one place from anywhere in the…

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Technology / Wellness

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business