Albury Thunder given all clear to restart by NSW Rugby League

Group 9 outfits were unable to play any matches before restrictions were brought in to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, however, NSW Rugby League has given the all clear for community rugby league clubs to resume training from July 1 with competitions to resume from July 18.

The announcement came as a surprise to Thunder president Rick O'Connell.

"If you look up the draw, it leaves you about four or five rounds before finals start, so I'm not sure what's going to happen there," O'Connell said.

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"You don't know whether they're going to be closed grounds or open grounds, but it is interesting.

"It's better than what we've had in the last week or so. We didn't have a clue on a date."

With the NSW Public Health (COVID-19 restrictions on gathering and movement) Order set to expire on June 30, clubs will be able to begin training from then.

Clubs will be given the final say on what shape a season would look it however Group Nine operations manager Bob Hay believes it a positive move to have a date to work towards.

After initially being against moving the grand final from September 13, an option to move it back a month to allow for one full round of the competition will be discussed.

"Generally clubs felt they would need to play at least one full round, which is nine weeks, and we want to retain the top five (finals) so that makes it 14 weeks," Hay said.

That would see a grand final played at Equex Centre on October 11 at the earliest.

With the restrictions removed it is expected crowds will be able to attend and support clubs financially.

NSWRL chief executive David Trodden emphasised the health and safety and players and the community is paramount to the return of the sport.

"The board and management of NSWRL have been continuing to closely monitor developments with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to strictly follow the government advice so that we will only return to playing footy when it is deemed safe to do so," Trodden said.

"The NSWRL and everyone in our rugby league community need to be responsive to the continual changes to the government advice around risks to public health for the broader community, and if it becomes apparent that a July start date is not feasible, we will adjust and reassess."

The Group Nine season was scheduled to start on April 18 with this weekend set to be round two.

With the July 18 return date, only five rounds could be played before the finals series unless the grand final was moved from September 13.