NSW Rugby League (NSWRL) have given their strongest indication yet that football will return this season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
All competitions and team training sessions have been put on hold until at least May 1 due to the coronavirus crisis.
However NSWRL chief executive David Trodden believes the current downward trend in cases across the state is cause for more optimism community rugby league will return in 2020.
"We have had some really positive news over the last week or so with the number of additional coronavirus cases registered in NSW," Trodden said.
"You would be aware those numbers are decreasing on a daily basis and that gives us some confidence we will be able to get competitions going again in some form during the course of this season."
Trodden said the winter sports were looking for a single date to recommence all sport in NSW. and said other sporting bodies "share the optimism we have about getting sport happening in NSW in the very near future."
Group Nine's season was scheduled to start on Sunday.
The financial implications of the international health crisis are a concern for many clubs including Southcity.
"We're like everyone else and sponsors will be the worry," Bulls football manager Matt Ward said.
"You can't put your hand out to sponsors if they haven't got any income."
However he believes the club would be ready for whatever shape a 2020 season would look like.
"Personally it wouldn't worry me as I think any footy is going to be good but if not I would really like to see some kids footy just so they get to do something," Ward said.
"Seniors it depends on the time and how long it would be."
READ MORE