Small numbers of fans are to be allowed back into venues for NRL fixtures in NSW as of next week, with groups of up to 50 people to be allowed into corporate boxes at stadiums.
The NRL secured permission for spectators to return from the NSW Government as of round five of the competition, arguing that if pubs and bars could reopen with rules around physical distancing, then professional rugby league should also be allowed to have groups of up to 50 people in corporate boxes, adhering to rules around having one person per four metre².
Welcoming the approval, Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V'landys told AAP “we're very pleased the (NSW) Government have corrected the anomaly, because this was allowed in pubs, clubs and racecourses but not sports stadiums.
"It's a good start and our next step once we've done that correctly is to try to convince government(s) to allow us to have spectators in seated areas from July 1 or shortly afterwards.”
The first game of round five is a Manly-Broncos clash at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford, which is now expected to be the first game to allow fans under the new socially distanced measures.
While the new measures will allow club sponsors to return to games, V'landys is reportedly still hopeful of getting club members back in the grounds in July.
While the Central Coast Stadium has limited corporate areas, Sydney’s Bankwest Stadium - which will host the Parramatta-Panthers local derby next Friday - has enough corporate facilities to host numerous groups of attendees, with the NRL to submit a biosecurity plan to the NSW government early next week.
V'landys told NRL.com that a bid for a similar crowd return in Queensland and Victoria will be put to those respective governments if spectators can be successfully managed in NSW next weekend.
The move will allow club sponsors to return to matches, with the ruling applied only to food and drink areas such as corporate suites.
If spectators are allowed, Bankwest Stadium is reported to be working on a ticketing system to ensure fans are spaced out appropriately between seats.
Image: The NRL's Fan In The Stand initiative has allowed fans to pay $22 each to have their portraits placed in seats at empty venues during round three and four of the competition.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring for a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
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