Central West Rugby Union board wants to give "players every opportunity to play meaningful competitions"

On the Tuesday evening as Group 10 and Group 11 rugby league clubs voted to cancel their senior competitions for the year, the CWRU board opted to delay its decision.

It could prove to be a fortuitous move as on Wednesday morning came an announcement from the state government that senior community sport could resume as of July 1.

That approval came eight days after juniors were given the green light.

According to chief executive officer Matt Tink, the CWRU board made its decision on Tuesday night to give those clubs keen to play this year every opportunity to do so.

"That is when we will make a final decision on the season," Tink said.

"We understand how frustrated our clubs, our players and our supporters are, but as a board we are determined to give our players every opportunity to play meaningful competitions this year.

"We feel we still need a bit more information and until that information comes, or if that information doesn't come by that date, then we'll have to make tough decisions."

In April Rugby Australia announced a July target for a resumption of community rugby competition and since then many clubs - including Bulldogs and CSU - have been holding training sessions, albeit it with restrictions.

Only 10 people have been allowed to attend sessions, social distancing measures must be adhered to and no physical contact is permitted.

Last week all 28 senior clubs in the CWRU fold, including Bathurst Bulldogs and CSU, were surveyed to see if they would be interested in forging ahead with a shortened 2020 season.

Tink revealed that "several clubs reported their frustration with the current lack of information and are eager for certainty" when they were surveyed.

"The Central West Rugby Union shares this frustration and the absolute lack of clarity regarding senior sport currently coming from the NSW Government and the NSW Office of Sport remains a critical issue in determining our 2020 season," he said.

Even with Wednesday morning's announcement from the state government, CWRU clubs and the board still want more clarity on things such as return to play protocols and spectators.

It is hoped by June 26 some of those questions will be answered.

"We ask our loyal rugby community to support this position and understand that the board remains committed to providing rugby to our region," Tink said.

Tink admitted not all of the member clubs indicated they were interested in a 2020 competition when surveyed, but that enough interest was shown to delay a final decision until June 26.

"At this stage we are encouraging our clubs to keep training as if they will be playing rugby this year," Tink said.

"We have some clubs that are not overly keen to play at this stage, but there are also clubs that are extremely keen to play. We would not be doing our duty as a board if we did not explore every opportunity to give those people a chance to play.

"We understand that this may cause frustration, however, this decision has been made to give our rugby community every opportunity available to participate and support rugby in 2020."