NRL establishes relief fund for flood-affected grassroots clubs in NSW and Queensland

The NRL has announced that it will cancel its planned season launch and use the money allocated to set up a $500,000 relief fund to assist grassroots rugby league clubs affected by the flooding in NSW and Queensland.

In addition to allocating funds it had expected to spend on its official season launch, which was to be held on Thursday before it was cancelled the 16 NRL clubs, the New South Wales Rugby League, Queensland Rugby League and at least one of its commercial partners will also contribute to the fund.

In a statement, NRL Chief Executive, Andrew Abdo advised “the scenes across south-east Queensland and northern NSW have been devastating and there could be worse to come with significant rain still to hit Sydney and surrounding .

"From a rugby league perspective, many of our grassroots clubs have lost equipment and suffered damage in the flooding.

"We believe the funds allocated for the season launch could be better spent assisting those clubs get back on the field."

Abdo said the NRL had a responsibility to support grassroots clubs hit by the floods, adding “rugby league clubs are part of the social fabric of our communities.

"They bring people together, and we want to work together to assist our clubs in returning to the field as soon as possible."

With venue inundated with floodwaters on Monday and Tuesday, Suncorp Stadium General Manager, Alan Graham says things are looking on the up for the venue and it may be able to host the Round 1 NRL clash between the Broncos and Rabbitohs on Friday 11th March.

Speaking on Brisbane radio station SEN, Graham advised that ground staff are able to operate on the field, stating “it’s getting brighter every day

“Yesterday (Tuesday) we actually got the field back, our guys were able to get on, mow and aerate which was amazing.

“This morning, the water that was still lying in Castlemaine St - there was still a fair bit of it last night, it’s now all gone so we’re starting to get things back around the Stadium.

“We’ve got a couple of crews today to start the cleaning, so things are on the up that’s for sure.”

While it appears that the venue will be able to host the scheduled fixture, Graham admitted there was testing times as the Brisbane River reached a level which meant the playing surface would’ve stayed under water.

He noted “the storm water system around that whole area is dependent on the height of the river.

“Once the river is above the storm water system, the storm water drains rise to that same level.

“You need to wait for that river to drain for the water to go away.

“We didn’t know how long the river was going to stay up, as long as that stayed up, there was nothing we could do.”

The A-League’s Brisbane Roar had to relocate from Suncorp Stadium in the middle of last month after its playing surface became water-logged while this weekend’s Super Rugby Pacific clash between Fijian Drua and the Rebels will not be held at the venue.

Images: The NRL's Provan-Summons Trophy (top, credit: NRL) and floodwaters at the Queensland Tennis Centre on Monday (middle).

Eerie scenes at Suncorp Stadium with only the middle of the playing surface not covered in water. Overall venue has held up a lot better than 2011 floods. @9NewsQueensland pic.twitter.com/H2f81QX9hg

— Adam Jackson (@AdamJackson_9) February 28, 2022

FLOODS.