SOUTHERN Inland Rugby Union president Warwick Grant says Albury's withdrawal from first and second grade this season took him by surprise, but he remains confident some football will be played this year.
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The Steamers became the first SIRU team to officially pull the plug after informing competition officials on Friday, but will play third grade to give their young players some senior experience.
Grant admitted it's a possibility some other clubs who may have been wary of officially becoming the first to withdraw may now follow suit.
While he remains optimistic football will be played in 2020, what the season will look like will depend massively on club feedback this week.
"I've written the board an email this weekend , because every board member is responsible for certain clubs, to contact their clubs and just get an indication so we know which direction we're heading," Grant said.
"If we have clubs who want to play (we will), even if we have to make it a modified competition just so blokes who are keen can get some football.
"It (Albury's withdrawal) was a surprise and I didn't see it coming, because all correspondence I saw was they were getting their training on track, but I know (president) Mick Raynes had been a bit iffy about it coming back.
"We don't want to put any pressure on clubs, it's their decision.
"We may have a reduced competition, it may only be first and second grade but we have to see what clubs come back to us with.
"It means a bit of juggling around with the draw, but we'll be talking to all the teams to see what their intentions are.
"Given Albury only announced it on Friday afternoon, we haven't had much time to do much juggling."
Grant said they wanted to wait until every club returns to training before asking their thoughts on playing this season.
"(We'd like to know) probably by the end of next week, which gives all clubs some time to get back to training," he said.
"I know at least Leeton didn't intend to return to training until after the long weekend. We'll give them some time to see what personnel they've got on the ground.
"From all the conversations I've had with various clubs, the Wagga clubs like Warratahs and City have reasonable numbers, Reddies seem to have reasonable numbers.
"Aggies will be struggling a bit because it depends on what the uni does, and whether they open up on campus again for second semester."
Ryan said he wouldn't put any pressure on Aggies to play first grade if they don't believe they will be competitive.
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