THE lockdown across the state due to the coronavirus has put another Bathurst sporting event in the virus' crosshairs: The NRL clash between Penrith Panthers and Cronulla Sharks this May at Carrington Park.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The NRL is one of the few major national sporting competitions still forging ahead in the midst of the lockdown, but with no crowds in attendance it naturally raises concern about the upcoming Bathurst clash.
If no crowds are able to attend the clash then the Panthers will have no need to bring the May 10 game out to Bathurst, and it would put a stop to what would be the city's first Sunday afternoon NRL contest since bringing a Penrith fixture to the ground in 2014.
The NRL has forged ahead with their season, minus crowds, while local competitions such as Group 10 have been put on hold until at least May 1.
But until any word from the NRL is released the 2020 Bathurst game still has the green light.
Cancellation would be a blow not just for football fans but for juniors all around the area who attend gala days and other sessions run by the Panthers players and staff.
Australian Rugby League chairman Peter V'Landys said precautions were being taken by all players and officials to ensure the competition can run smoothly.
"We've also commissioned biosecurity and pandemic experts. We'll continue to listen to that advice and at this stage they are telling us we can continue to play and while that is the case we'll continue to play," he said in a Sunday interview.
"We have chartered planes at the moment so we are not using domestic airliners. We have done everything possible to minimise the risk to our players with self-isolation and various other protocols.
"They are probably safer playing than not playing because they are isolated and not socially interacting."
Cancellation would also be a blow to Group 10.
Bathurst Panthers would also miss out on the opportunity to play a curtain-raiser game at Carrington Park against Orange CYMS if Group 10 resumes by that stage.
Panthers president Dennis Comerford said while the Bathurst club wouldn't be badly affected by a cancelled clash, it would still be a blow to the community.
"For us, as a local club, I don't believe it would have a great deal of impact since we only get to operate a canteen. While we don't like to lose any amount of money it's not the worst situation," he said.
"For the community of Bathurst it's a substantial loss. Like any major event which comes to town it attracts people from outside the area who then spend money in town, and stay overnight and put money into our motels and restaurants.
"We were looking forward to playing the curtain-raiser. If our competition goes ahead by that stage we'll still get to play that game, it just won't be as a curtain raiser for an NRL game.
"We've got games scheduled for years to come and there's still a lot of football to be played.
"The NRL haven't made a decision yet, and they're now toying with the idea of moving teams to Queensland. There's still lots of decisions to be made."
The Western Advocate reached out to Penrith Panthers who were unable to comment on the situation.