The issue with crowds is that it inevitably takes valuable resources away from the medical world. You need at minimum St. John's Ambulance plus two team Doctors just to get a game on and that's before you start seriously resourcing for a crowd in the 000s/0000s. In the (admittedly unlikely) event that either a player gets seriously injured or (highly unlikely) there is an incident of some sort in the crowd, that's ambulances etc. that are being taken away from an already stretched NHS.

If there is scope to get a game on, I think the solution should be stream all (non-SKY) games online. Season ticket holders get free access - all clubs have databases' of ST holders these days, so shouldn't be that hard - and everyone else can buy access for £10/20 a game or similar. You ask those watching to donate an extra £5 or £10 that they might have spent on a programme or food and drink. For many reasons it is not going to generate the same revenue as a fixture played with open doors, but at least some revenue could be generated and the game kept moving forward.

I think some of the better played players in the sport need to consider deferring portions of their salary until later in the year or their contract - James Graham seems to be making similar noises in the NRL about this.

To postpone the season something would have to be sacrificed. Maybe the challenge cup should sit out this year and return in 2021, or scrap the ashes.

Scrap the grand final, make it League Leaders Champions

I'd keep the GF as it generates cash but scrap the playoffs top 2 straight to the GF

season on hold to april 3rd according to hdm reporter

^^^^ Now confirmed.

https://www.superleague.co.uk/article/1 ... suspension

https://www.superleague.co.uk/article/1 ... suspension

The Rugby Football League and Super League issue a joint statement on season suspension.

The Rugby Football League and Super League Europe today announce a suspension of fixtures in the Betfred Super League season, initially until 3rd April, during which time the season’s structure and fixture rescheduling will be considered.

This follows the latest Government advice regarding social contact and mass gatherings.

The Super League clubs discussed a range of contingency plans with the RFL at their board meeting in Huddersfield, and the situation will be reviewed with broadcasters and sponsors throughout the initial suspension.

These changes will also apply across other competitions including the Championship, League 1, Betfred Women’s Super League and the community game, with the RFL to have further discussions of the implications at meetings of Championship and League 1 clubs and community board over the next couple of days.

I think Magic will get cancelled and other fixtures will be allowed to be played on CC weekend that with some other re-jigging will mean the season only extends by a couple of weeks, all fixtures still fixed with just the missed fixtures moved in the the afore mentioned gaps.
As an aside, I'm the chairman of a community club, it cost us around £1k a month even if we don't open the doors and have no matches. Hopefully there is going to be some help for us, at this time I've not had any correspondence/communication directly to our club from the governing body, I hope we are not just an after thought as the community game is specifically mentioned in the RFL announcement.

Right decision but absoutely zero chance of getting games on by April 3rd.
Its goin to be months rather than weeks. Who knows what impact this will have on the sport.

Superleague sides need the income let alone Champ and L1 sides. Woorying times ahead i fear

I knew this move to summer rugby (1996) would not last. LOL