MID North Coast Rugby Union has released a revised draw for the proposed Lower North Coast season that would see the competition start on Saturday July 11 and finish with the grand final on Saturday October 3.
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This would be in men's first grade and women's 10s, with the grand finals on the Saturday of the October long weekend.
MNC Zone executive officer Bob Wilson is now awaiting confirmation from the six LNC clubs as to whether they want to play in 2020. Previously the zone had planned to start on July 11 but play the grand finals on Saturday October 17, with a final five semi-final format. Under the new draw the zone would revert to a final four.
Mr Wilson said there were the zone wants to work with the various North Coast cricket associations to avoid a clash with the start of the 2020/21 competitions by playing deep into October.
The Lower North Coast semi-finals are now slated to start on Saturday September 19 with the major and minor games on the same day. The final is scheduled for September 26 with the grand final the following weekend. A 10 round competition-proper is planned, with no breaks.
Five of the six clubs had agreed previously to the original draw, with Forster Tuncurry initially withdrawing from the season, only to revise the decision.
Wauchope had reservations and indicated the club would prefer a first-past-the-post system. However, Mr Wilson stressed the competitions would only proceed if there is approval from the federal and state governments along with Rugby Australia.
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"If the guidelines put in place by the federal and state governments and Rugby Australia require no canteen and no bar sales this may prevent both competitions from going ahead,'' he warned.
"It may not be cost effective for clubs as there would be no income on match day. There are other costs involved in regards to training, floodlights and game day expenses.''
"Once we receive the final guidelines and restrictions/requirements from the federal and state governments and Rugby Australia, a decision will be made with consultation from all clubs on whether to proceed with rugby in 2020,'' Mr Wilson concluded.
