There are some big decisions to be made that could have a profound impact on local sport as the country continues to reel from the COVID-19 outbreak.
On Friday Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the country would remain at Alert Level 4 until next Tuesday and that Auckland faces the prospect of a further two weeks in Level 4 lockdown beyond that.
That leaves a number of sporting competitions suspended at inopportune times and heading for a minimum of a five-week break, given that community sport cannot take place until Level 2.
Rugby’s National Provincial Championship has been halted after just two weeks of 10 in the round robin stage. It is possible the competition could resume around the country without the Auckland-based provincial unions of Auckland, North Harbour and Counties Manukau.
The Farah Palmer Cup is getting towards the end of the round robin stage, which makes removing the three Auckland-based Unions more challenging.
Auckland Rugby League’s SAS Fox Memorial Premiership and Fox Memorial Championship club rugby league competitions are at the playoffs stage.
It will become increasingly difficult to just pick up where they left off the longer lockdown goes on. Players will find it impossible to switch from no contact over three plus weeks to go straight into full contact playoff football.
One option is to cancel the season and hand out no trophies. But that then poses the question of which clubs will be part of the competition next year with promotion and relegation a fundamental part of the structure.
The Manukau Magpies have earned the right to come up with the Papakura Sea Eagles dropping down based on a round robin results, which could be disputed should the season be cancelled.
The Northern Region Football competitions also need to factor in promotion and relegation approaching the end of the round robin stage.
A number of local clubs are in a position where they could be looking at being promoted – Manurewa AFC (LOTTO Division 1), Onehunga Mangere United, Beachlands Maraetai and Franklin United (all in LOTTO Division 2) while Papakura City and South Auckland Rangers are at the top of the NRF Championship standings.
Likewise, Papakura City and Onehunga Sports are dominating the NRF Women’s Championship.
All remain a promotion chance if a full season is completed.
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