The National Rugby League today announced the 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership Schedule will include six matches in regional NSW Towns, bringing elite rugby league back to the bush after a COVID-19 impacted season.
The following locations will host games in the EISS Super Regional Series NRL Telstra Premiership. Teams in brackets will take a home game to the regional centre:
- Bathurst (Penrith Panthers)
- Wagga Wagga (Canberra Raiders)
- Tamworth (Wests Tigers)
- Dubbo (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
- Mudgee (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
- Coffs Harbour (Cronulla Sutherland Sharks)
Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V'landys AM said rugby league was in the DNA of regional NSW and the Commission would deliver on a promise to bring more elite rugby league to the regions.
"I made a promise to regional NSW that we would take games back to the bush as soon as the competition returned to normality. The infection rate is now zero so we will deliver on that promise and schedule NRL games in six different towns,'' he said.
"Nowhere is rugby league stronger than in our regions. This year COVID meant we were only able to take one game to regional NSW, so we will make good on that with six games next year.
"One of the Commission's major objectives in the next three years is to reinvigorate Country Rugby League. Accordingly there is no better way than to take the game's stars to Country heartland and inspire participation at all levels."
Mr V'landys thanked NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro for his ongoing support of rugby league.
"There's no stronger supporter in government for our game than the Deputy Premier. Without the efforts of John we would not have been able to play this year. His common sense approach procures major outcomes for NSW,'' he said.
"John with his common touch understands how important taking these matches to the bush are and what it means to these communities.
"I also want to thank our six clubs for their commitment to taking a home game to a regional centre and EISS Super for their support of the regional series."
More:
https://www.raiders.com.au/news/2020/11/25/nrl-returns-to-regional-nsw-in-2021/
Topic: NRL returns to regional NSW in 2021
