New England rugby boss David Clifton has questioned the decision by numerous sporting organisations across NSW to pull the pin on their seasons.
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Clifton said the easing of COVID restrictions meant that "it's all very positive" for New England Rugby Union.
"We stuck our neck out, and I think it's worked," he said.
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Clifton said the recent addition of third grade to the NERU's upcoming season was "absolutely" validation of the decision to plan for a season amid the lockdown.
He said: "It just sort of amazes me a little bit that so many of the other codes and some of the other competitions abandoned the idea [of a season] so early in the piece."
Central North Rugby Union, Group 4, Group 19 and Group 21 are among the sporting bodies that abandon their seasons before a game was played due to the pandemic.
The NERU season starts on July 25, with first-, second- and third-grade competitions and a women's comp to be staged.
On Wednesday, the state government lifted the contact-training ban - a week earlier than planned - although the spike in COVID-19 cases in Victoria must be causing concern for sport administrators eyeing season launches.
Clifton said that as a result of competitions being cancelled, NERU clubs were benefiting from an influx of new arrivals.
"I know there's some Inverell players, there's some Quirindi players, etc that are looking at playing with various clubs in the area.
"And I think there's probably a number of league players that are jumping on board ... How many of those players will carry over to 2021, I don't know."
Clifton said each NERU club would have a COVID manger to ensure "strict" regulations were met during the season.