Setting dates may be optimistic, but we need to be in times of crisis

You don't want to get your hopes up, but every finger is crossed the present with your name on it under the tree is a remote-controlled car or the latest football jersey, not a pack of jocks or socks.

This is the scenario presented by the NRL when 'Project Apollo' announced the season will "definitely" restart on May 28, with training permitted from May 4.

However there's still more hurdles to jump over than Sally Pearson negotiated for her entire career.

Will the Queensland teams be able to cross the border and train in Sydney? Will the Melbourne Storm have to cross the border, or will the Victorian government allow them to train at home? Will the Warriors be granted an exemption to enter the country and if so, will they complete quarantine in time for kick-off?

The Rugby League Players' Association also need to be completely convinced, with CEO Clint Newton highlighting that "access to the appropriate medical facilities and services should players be injured, are paramount before reaching a definitive return date."

Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszcuk also has genuine concerns, asking the NRL to send her a "detailed plan" before they begin thinking about approving the recommencement of rugby league up north.

Project Apollo sounds like it was named by the nerds on The Big Bang Theory. And when they declared the season would restart on May 28, I have to admit I thought they were living on another planet.

On Twitter I proclaimed "I've set a date to date Margot Robbie. May 28. No, I don't need to show you the evidence. Just accept it as fact please."

In other words, the NRL can say they intend to start playing again on May 28, but unless it's backed up by actual facts and science, then it's pretty meaningless.

But what it does do, when we need it most, is give all of us a sense of hope that the sporting world will soon return to normal.

March and April have effectively felt like two years when denied the sports we love. If you throw in the fact I write about sport for living, it's been the biggest mental challenge I've faced.

Much of the talk has centred around the NRL and AFL, but community and women's sport should not be forgotten.

Most country clubs are sponsored by local pubs or clubs and with them all shut down the impact on their bottom line will be huge, and not just for this year.

A ray of hope was presented this week when NSWRL announced July 18 as their planned start date for community football, including the Group Nine competition.

Even if setting dates for a return doesn't eventuate, it does give everyone a sense of hope that normality isn't too far away.

It also gives the respective sports a date they can be held to account to try and achieve and if factors out of their control prevent it, then so be it.

If the NRL achieves its lofty goal it may not be great news for Margot Robbie, but it sure as hell will be for those of us who rely heavily on sport for good mental health.

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