The major NSW state sporting organisations have come to a collective agreement in regards to community sport.
Football NSW, Cricket NSW, NSW Rugby League, NSW Rugby Union and AFL NSW/ACT have all accepted a proposal which will give their sports appropriate access to shared grounds and facilities.
Under the agreement, the winter football codes will complete their community competitions no later than October 11 of this year, with summer community cricket competitions to finish by April 5 of next year.
Participants will work together to oversee any exceptions to ground access, as well as agreed season changeovers.
CEOs of the state sporting organisations, including Football NSW’s Stuart Hodge, released a joint statement about the latest developments.
“This show of unity and collaboration comes during a period of dramatic impact for sport in our State,” the CEOs said on Thursday.
“In NSW, bush fires, smoke, heat and floods all contributed to a significant loss of cricket matches before COVID-19 forced the cancellation of most finals.
“Likewise, COVID-19 has cost the football codes up to half their seasons.
“We all know how important it is to our communities to be able to play sport at all ages and all levels. The intent of this agreement is that we want to provide the opportunity for girls and boys, women and men, to play the sport they love this season, whilst supporting the many volunteers who give so much to our respective community sporting clubs and associations.
“This agreement clearly puts community sport as the central focus of all the sporting codes.
“We collectively thank local councils, the sporting community and our incredible volunteers for their patience and ongoing support. We are committed to providing a safe and carefully managed environment – now let’s all get back on the field and enjoy our sport.”
The community sports agreement can be viewed in full here.
