CONCERNED, determined and apathetic.
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Those are the three distinct camps Bathurst Bulldogs president Greg Reid believes players in Central West Rugby Union competitions are feeling as a final decision on their season draws nearer.
And given the uncertainty around COVID-19 but a derth of sporting action across 2020 it's unsurprising to see players feeling split about whether rugby union should be going ahead.
Reid said he's been in conversation with other presidents in the lead up to the June 26 decision day, and has heard many different perspectives on the state of the game.
"We've been training in a COVID-restricted environment for about four weeks now, which adds a bit of complexity, and from talking to the other presidents there's three categories people find themselves in," he said.
"Some don't want to play at all for various reasons or their place of work would prefer them not to play, like those who work in a mining environment and who don't want to bring back infections.
"Then there are people who are really keen and are busting their chops at training and want to play, no matter what.
"Then there are those sitting on the fence with a bit of apathy, waiting to see what unfolds, and they'll make a decision then. It's not easy times, that's for sure."
Reid said the wait until June 26 for assessing the season's viability makes sense given the need for consulting clubs and interpreting the COVID-19 guidelines.
"There's so much uncertainty too, not just from the rugby association, but from everyone trying to interpret the state government's rules and restrictions and converting that into something meaningful around community sport," he said.
"A lot of people are making other plans too, which is understandable.
"I can see both sides of the equation and can respect people's views for not wanting to play."
Bathurst Bulldogs captain Peter Fitzsimmons admits he's one of those players who have found themselves in the latter category Reid mentioned.
"We seemed to fill our lives with other things when footy wasn't around and we've continued to do that," he said.
"Personally, I'd like to get myself back to some sort of fitness. We were in the routine with pre-season, everything was feeling good, but the loss of that work earlier in the season probably makes some want to look ahead to next year instead.
"I'm keen to defend that title considering it took a while to get it, but when that will be is something still up in the air. The motivation is there, but not fully."