Group 4: Season called off after community sport remains shut down

The decision came after the NSW government revealed on Thursday that community sport would not resume despite parts of regional NSW including Tamworth set to come out of lockdown on Saturday.

In a statement, Group 4 chairman Terry Psarakis said there was "no choice but to abandon the season".

He also announced that the second instalment of the successful WEG 9s would not be staged during the off-season.

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"It is a shame," he said of the season being cancelled. "And I would like to thank all the players, club officials, referees and sponsors for the season.

"They had all done a great job and we were heading towards a great semi-final series.

"We had been having one of the closest competitions in all grades for many years. The standard of play and sportsmanship had been outstanding,"

While Tamworth is set to be freed from lockdown, Narrabri will remain in lockdown.

Narrabri had finished atop the table in first grade.

"That wouldn't have helped our situation, either - Narrabri being on top of the comp [and the town still in lockdown]," Psarakis said.

Psarakis said Group 4 may award the premiership to the teams who finished atop the table when the regular season was prematurely halted after round 12. In first grade, that was Narrabri.

He said Group 4 would also consider awarding gongs for the best and fairest players, as well as for the leading points-scorers and tryscorers.

While this year's WEG 9s had been abandoned, Psarakis said the Scully Park competition could be held early next season or at the conclusion of the 2022 season.

"That's under discussion and will be something we will decide on in the coming weeks," he added.

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