North Tamworth president Jodie Cooper says the reigning Group 4 champions will put the feelers out about potentially playing in another group after the Group 4 season was abandoned.
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Group 4 Rugby League chairman Ray McCoy made the announcement at a press conference on Friday.
He said the board had agonised over a possible return "but in the end found the COVID-19 pandemic had placed, not just a health risk on our players, supporters and our communities, but a heavy financial burden on all our clubs."
"In consultation with our clubs, the board has voted to abort the 2020 season."
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The financial strain on the clubs from the lack of sponsorship money and potential gate takings, with no guarantees on how many spectators would be allowed at games, and the impost of meeting, and enforcing the protocols to "present a day's rugby league" was the biggest deciding factor, McCoy said.
"We said from day one of this situation if we can't return to football and know that our community is safe we won't be playing football," he said.
He acknowledged that the decision wouldn't be welcomed by everyone and said there were a few clubs, mentioning the Bears, Gunnedah and Moree, that were prepared to play had the season gone ahead.
"[But] Coming down to the final discussions all those clubs put their hands up and said they would support the decision from the other clubs and the board and move forward from there," he said.
Cooper said the Bears players had been training hard and really wanted to play, and was disappointed by the decision. But he understands the other clubs' positions.
"We were probably in a fortunate situation where we could (go ahead with the season) but there's obviously others out there that can't," he said.
"We've obviously got nothing against those clubs. If they can't do it they can't do it."
"No-one wants to see clubs go broke and if it meant those clubs going broke..."
He is hopeful of playing footy of some description this season and said the option of playing in Group 21 has been floated.
"It would be nice if something like that could eventuate," he said.
"We'd be prepared probably to go down that way. They've got to be in agreeance of course."
"We'll make approaches through the local Greater Northern manager and let him know if there's some rugby league to be played we'd like to be able to play if it's all feasible."
If not that, then there might be another opportunity pop up somewhere be it round robin's with other clubs from other groups, or gala days.
"I'd like to see rugby league be played in Tamworth," Cooper said.
"I think the way these announcements are coming from the government, we'll be able to have small crowds and it should be a little bit viable."
It was a different story for Werris Creek with club legend and first grade co-coach Ron Dellar welcoming the decision.
The main issue for them was there was still no clarity around having spectators. The Magpies were among several clubs to have previously indicated they would only play if crowds were allowed.
"We can't play without crowds and that's because that's where our money comes from," Dellar said.
The extra man power required to implement the various protocols, and the lateness into the season were also concerns.
"It's very hard to start now it's coming up to July. Any other time we'd only have a month-and-a-half to go and we'd be finished," he said.
"And you just can't say righto this is right you can play now. You've got to give the blokes at least a month to get fit and get some trials in otherwise you're going to get injuries."
He said they hadn't resumed training since they were allowed to and have pretty much now called it a season.
"We're more or less saying that will do for this year and just let things go and let's come back in December and start again for 2021," Dellar said.
