Grim end of season for senior Pirates

The 2020 senior comp has been called off, with junior teams starting in the next few weeks.

By Rose Astley

Earlier this month the Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League committee proposed a motion to keep all club games at a centralised hub in Kawana to ensure a COVID safe environment.

Many clubs across the Sunshine Coast and Gympie pulled their senior teams from the competition as the centralised hub would see a loss in revenue for the clubs with the lack of home games.

The Noosa Pirates recently posted the following to their social media.

“It with much disappointment that the competition for Senior grades in 2020 will be cancelled. The decision was made late last week by the Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League Board of Directors after the vast majority of clubs were unable to reach a position and agreement with regard to the viability of the proposed fixtures.

“Therefore our Open Women’s, Under 18, Division 1 & 2 teams will not play under the local Senior competition banner this season.

“The club is now looking at options and making approaches to look at the possibility of our Division 1/2 and Under 18 squads still playing football in 2020.

“Dependent on that taking place, we will also be investigating if we can organise some Women’s exhibition games during the year.

“Rest assured that we are still doing everything possible to bring rugby league to our players, supporters, sponsors and community in 2020. There are some challenges ahead but we will keep fighting on.”

All is not lost for the Pirates as the Junior comp will still go ahead.

“After a Pirates club meeting during the week with Junior team Coaches & Managers, our U/13 to U/16 teams will be rolling out training from next week, while U/6 to U/12’s will commence the first week after school holidays from July 13,” the statement said.