NSW Rugby Union (NSWRU) has confirmed the Shute Shield and all winter rugby competitions in the Sydney and Illawarra region have been cancelled for the rest of 2021.
This comes as the state continues to deal with a rise in COVID cases, with the entirety of NSW in lockdown.
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"In response to the COVID-19 outbreak and deteriorating conditions in the state, NSW Rugby Union (NSWRU) and its affiliate unions have jointly made the incredibly difficult decision to cancel all winter rugby competitions in the Sydney region (and Illawarra)," they said in a statement.
"In arriving at this decision, NSWRU has worked with Affiliates, the NSW Government and our fellow winter sports and were left with little option but to cancel the 2021 winter rugby competitions with there being no current NSW Government sanctioned roadmap out of lockdown for Community sport.
"In reaching the decision, NSWRU considered its obligation to comply with Public Health Orders as well as its broader obligation to provide participants with a safe environment in which to play sport."
This extends to Sydney Junior Rugby Union, NSW Suburban Rugby Union, Sydney Rugby Union (including Charter Hall Shute Shield), Women’s Jack Scott Cup, Regular Schoolboy Competitions in term 3 and the Illawarra Zone Junior and Senior competitions.
“2021 continues to present us with many challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the safety of our community continues to be of utmost importance,” NSWRU CEO Paul Doorn said.
“We have assessed a number of contingency options, and after consultation with Affiliates, our collective position is that the 2021 season cannot proceed under current restrictions.
“In these challenging times, it is imperative that our community work together, to keep not only ourselves, but our peers, teammates, coaches, volunteers and the whole New South Wales community safe.
“We’re dealing with unprecedented times, but I know that if our rugby community continues to stick together, we will be able to come out stronger on the other side."
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