Southern Inland Rugby Union has ruled out playing a full season, but hope the lifting of coronavirus restrictions will see clubs able to train in small groups.
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Completing a full home and away draw was dependent on a June start, but president Warwick Grant is waiting for more advice on how clubs will be able to utilise the new stages for the return of community sport as implemented by the NSW government.
From Friday, groups of up to 10 will be able to train while still abiding by social distancing, consistent with the AIS Framework for Rebooting Sport.
The second stage has a maximum of 20, while the final step allows for community sport to be considered, with venues able to operate with gatherings up to 100 people.
Grant is hopeful of having more information to be able to provide clubs this week.
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"We are waiting from word from above on how these new restrictions will affect what we are doing. It will probably allow clubs to get back into a limited non-contact training program," Grant said.
"There will be a lot of rules and regulations, the recording of people at training, making sure everyone is healthy before they get there and no interacting as groups or using facilities."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison believes stage three of the framework will be implemented by July.
Under that timeline, Grant doesn't believe they would fit in a full season and are now focusing on playing a full round before finals.
"Going on what the government is predicting it won't be until July that we could get two teams on the same paddock so it will probably be a one round competition at this stage," Grant said.
Grant suggested crowds may have to be limited to comply, however, he wasn't sure how big an impact it would have.
Going on what the government is predicting it won't be until July that we could get two teams on the same paddock...
- Warwick Grant
"Some games have a crowd and other days you would be flat out to get that many," Grant added.
However, numbers quickly stack up between two teams of players, coaches, managers and referees.
There is also hope that if the health situation continues on its current trend, with NSW recording its first 'zero case day' on Tuesday, restrictions could be lifted sooner.
"It is looking promising but can't get ahead ourselves," Grant said.
"Hopefully we don't get anything imported into this area, everything stays alright and we might be able to get into fully fledged and people might be able to go out and watch a bit of footy."
Southern Inland have always been open to pushing back their grand final date, which was originally set down for September 12.
The junior situation is more complicated due to the size of the gala day format.
There has been discussions about limiting the number of parents who can attend, with the SIRU board to have further meetings with presidents of senior and juniors clubs this week.
