The coronavirus pandemic has once again affected sporting competitions with this year's New England Rugby Union grand final not to be played in Armidale.
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Instead, the Zone has opted to move it to Tamworth's Scully Park.
It's the first time in a long time the big dance has been shifted from Armidale.
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NERU president David Clifton said the grand final hasn't been moved from its traditional home in a long time but last year saw semi-finals moved from Bellevue Oval due to the drought.
"Last year we moved the preliminary final to Tamworth that was because of the state of the Bellevue ground," he said.
"It was a one-off situation that we had to preserve the ground for the grand final."
Moving this year's decider is also a one-off.
The Zone decided due to Bellevue limited to 500 people as well as the unlikelihood of operating a bar and canteen, Scully Park was a better option.
"As a ticketed venue, the use of Scully Park will enable the Zone to operate the event to a capacity of 1,800 people," NERU said in a statement.
"This will allow New England Rugby Union to accommodate both spectators and players.
"The surrounding precinct also allows for sufficient change rooms and warm-up spaces, using the Wests facilities and utilising other sporting facilitates close to the ground.
"Live streaming of all games on Grand Final day will be available for fans that cannot make it to Tamworth."
Clifton also said the Wests Entertainment Group will handle some of the operations which will make it easier on clubs and their volunteers.
"It means significantly less work for us in a way," he said.
"Trying to be Covid managers is proving to be very difficult for the clubs and getting volunteers to do that sort of job is difficult.
"They have done a great job but it is hard to ask people to contstantly walk around the ground and remind people what their obligations are.
"This way we can concentrate on the football side, put on a great spectacle and focus on the games themselves."
The semi-finals will be held as normal with the first grade minor premiers hosting the major semi-final and third place hosting the minor semi-final.
The Zone is currently seeking expressions of interest from the Armidale clubs to conduct the preliminary final on September 19, either on their own or with assistance from other clubs.