NSW Touch Association will "take a step back" to reassess how they run events in the COVID era after confirming they will put Junior State Cup Southern Conference hosting rights out to tender after this weekend's carnival at Wagga.
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The event, which attracts over 10,000 participants and spectators and injects millions of dollars into the local economy, begins at Jubilee Park on Friday.
COVID restrictions mean only 3000 people are allowed on the venue at a time, with teams to play three straight matches each day before they're asked to leave the facility.
NSW Touch Association general manager Dean Russell said the hurdles associated with running events during a pandemic has prompted them to reassess the future.
"This is the last year and we've told both councils (Wagga and northern conference hosts Port Macquarie) that because of the COVID environment, we have to take a step back and look at the way we might deliver the event in the future," Russell said.
"I'd love to have a crystal ball to see what 2022 looks like, but nobody does.
"We need a bit of time to assess how we run the event, it might be exactly the same but it might need to change because of the numbers we can have on and off the venues.
"We'll seek feedback from stakeholders, we'll formulate what the best step forward is then go to tender. Our plan is to have all decisions decided before June 1."
Wagga mayor Greg Conkey believes the city has done all it can to press its claims to extend hosting rights, but knows the event is in hot demand.
"We certainly would be disappointed but it's their decision and we understand there's other cities who want to put their hand up for it," Conkey said.
"I know it's not an easy decision for the NSW Touch Association as well. We've got the runs on the board from the past two years, and hopefully this year as well.
"To get 10,000 people into town over a weekend, there's a lot of interest out there."
Last weekend's northern conference finals were washed out, meaning there will be no state championships this year."
Restrictions mean under eight divisions won't be played this year, while development teams have also been put on hold.
The state championships also won't go ahead after last week's northern conference carnival at Port Macquarie was washed out.
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