NRL players to reunite with families on Wednesday
The NRL has come good on its promise to reunite players with their families, with the Queensland government agreeing to an application to relocate Sydney-based loved ones to the Gold Coast on Wednesday.
Almost 500 family members will make the shift to Surfers Paradise to reunite with players after Rugby League Central successfully submitted individual applications to enter the state. The move will appease families who were frustrated by delays in shifting north after the Queensland government opted not to accept the initial group application that was submitted.
Jakob Arthur and his father Brad wonât be the only family members reunited from Wednesday.Credit:NRL Photos
NRL officials have been working tirelessly over the past week to lodge the requisite paperwork and informed players on Monday night that they will soon be joined by their loved ones.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo sent the following letter â" obtained by the Herald â" to players, officials and families on Monday night.
âThank you for your patience over the last few days,â Abdo wrote.
âIâm delighted to inform you that as promised, we will be able to reunite you with your family in Queensland soon. The Queensland Government has this evening approved our application to relocate Sydney based families to the Gold Coast.
âYour flights will leave from Sydney this Wednesday. We will be in contact with you tomorrow to advise of travel plans and flight times.
âWhen you arrive on the Gold Coast, you will commence 14 days of quarantine at an NRL-managed Family Hub in Surfers Paradise before being reunited with your partners at club hotels. The majority of families will be free to move around the resort and make use of the facilities while you are in quarantine.
âFamilies who are based in the three Local Government Areas, which are currently under NSW Public Health orders not to leave, will also be permitted to travel. As I explained to you on a call earlier this evening, you will be located in a separate section of the hotel to minimise risk to the broader group.
âI want to thank you all for the patience you have shown while our team has worked closely with Queensland and NSW Governments to have the necessary exemptions approved.
âWe promised all players and families that you would be reunited and we are pleased that we are now delivering on that promise.
âWe have a responsibility to ensure we keep the Queensland community safe and healthy. My team will be in touch with you directly over the next 24 hours to ensure you clearly understand the conditions and protocols we must comply with. Thank you for making yourself available so promptly today for COVID-19 testing.
âThe sacrifices you are making to keep the competition going is not lost on the Australian Rugby League Commision, or myself. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have further questions.
âWe will do all we can to make this relocation as comfortable as possible for you and your children and we will be arranging some additional support for you during the 14 days.â
Almost 500 players and staff have shifted north to escape COVID-19 hotspots in NSW and Victoria, with about as many family members now set to join them.
The total relocation cost will add up to between $12 million-$15 million per month, but the NRL has no plans to reduce the salary cap next year to offset the costs.
The Queensland government had been criticised by the public for providing the playersâ families preferential treatment at a time when other members of the community couldnât see their loved ones.
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Adrian Proszenko is the Chief Rugby League Reporter for the Sydney Morning Herald.
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