ALL 12 clubs in the Mid North Coast Rugby Union Zone, including the Forster Tuncurry Dolphins, will take part in the proposed shortened competition, scheduled to kick off on July 11.
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Executive officer of the zone, Bob Wilson, has welcomed the Dolphins' decision it what appears an about-face by the club after implying it would take no part in the 2020 competition.
"They'll be back in. That's fine," Mr Wilson said. "Everything said they were not going to play.
"Health conditions prevailing, they will play."
In an email to the club president, Damian Daczko, Mr Wilson said: "I must have missed something. We must have misinterpreted your email about Forster Tuncurry club playing and/or cancelling the 2020 season.
"My apologies. In all of my emails, I have always emphasised that the rugby would not go ahead without the approval of the federal government, the NSW Government and Rugby Australia with the necessary guidelines in place.
"Looking forward to Forster Tuncurry (Dolphins) competing in the 2020 season if the competition proceeds."
All clubs sent their approval of the competition with the proviso it proceed with the necessary assurances by officials that it was safe for players and officials to engage in training and playing.
Health factors aside, the only relatively minor issues some of the clubs had were proposals to have a five-team finals program when others wanted four teams and to incorporate the October long weekend in the end-of-season play-offs because of the encroaching cricket programs and possible conflict with summer sports.
Executive officer Wilson released the following report about Lower MNC clubs' viewpoints:
Manning River: Satisfied with the proposed format.
Old Bar: Satisfied with the proposed format, but concerned about welfare of players and officials.
Wallamba: Satisfied with proposed format.
Gloucester: Satisfied with proposed format.
Wauchope: Hesitant to play in prevailing conditions, but if they do play would prefer a first-past-the-post competition without shield play-offs.
But with the changing circumstances of the plague, it is significant that Group Three rugby league officials' hard line attitude appears to be changing. Now appears such was the case with the Dolphins as well.