GROUP 4's board of directors has deferred a decision on whether to stage a 2020 season until receiving more advice from the NSWRL regarding senior community sports resuming in NSW amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Ray McCoy, the Group 4 chairman, said it was hoped a decision on the future of season 2020 would be made by June 12.
Earlier this week, McCoy had said that he would recommend to the board that the season be abandoned due to the pandemic.
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In a press release issued on Wednesday morning, Group 4 said its board met on Tuesday night to discuss the current situation.
It said all Group 4 clubs were canvassed for their thoughts on the issue, as well as their "playing status", before the meeting. The NSWRL was also contacted.
McCoy said there may be financial benefits for clubs and Groups from the NSWRL. He did not elaborate.
News of the deferment comes after it was announced on Tuesday that junior community sport in NSW would resume on July 1.
On Tuesday, Netball NSW chief executive officer Carolyn Campbell criticised the state government for not setting a date for the resumption of senior community sport.
NSWRL CEO David Trodden remains hopeful senior community sport will resume soon - "recognising the central role that sport plays in our community and the positive impact that sport can have in recovery from the coronavirus pandemic".
In response to the pending resumption of junior rugby league, the NSWRL said it was working towards a restart of modified and select competitions from July 18 and a return to full contact training from July 1, based on the advice of government and health authorities.
Trodden said it was exciting and welcome news for more than 80,000 girls and boys from 700 clubs across the state.
In a statement, he said: "This is a really positive outcome, not only for the Rugby League community, but the broader community and we are grateful that the NSW Government has given the green light for a return to children's sport."
Trodden said that training (in groups of up to 10) could begin as soon as clubs complied with the NSWRL's Covid-19 regulations developed in line with the federal government's return-to-sport framework.
