Ben Boyton in action for the Brahmans.
For the first time since 2012 the Binalong Brahmans will not field a team in Canberra Region’s George Tooke Shield nor Woodbridge Cup Rugby League competitions. Brahman’s President Ben Spencer outlined the club’s finances to the players and members at a meeting on Monday 15th June. The Brahman’s men’s coach Nathan Lalliard was present on a phone hook-up.
Cherrae Smith. Photo R.S. Williams
Spencer indicated that if Binalong decided to play this winter, the club might just scrape through financially. However the requirement to pay a full season insurance cover would impinge heavily on the surplus accumulated over previous seasons. “It will be a pity to let all that money be spent on only half a season,” he remarked.
Another matter raised by the players was that with as little as two weeks to train before full competition could be disastrous in terms of injuries let alone performance. Ben Spencer also said that he had been contacted by Boorowa’s Murray Armour to indicate that the Rover’s would also not be participating. In addition it was already known that Crookwell and North Canberra Bears had also elected not to play in 2020.
Sponsorship was also discussed and club Secretary Ali Spencer indicated that she did not know how many sponsors would come on board for 2020, “Frankly I don’t blame them as if they don’t get advertising there is no point in their sponsorship”.
Under present rules, teams can only train with ten players at “no-contact” and cannot use the dressing sheds. When the 20 player restriction is implemented and matches can go ahead in competition, each player has to arrive at the ground in full playing kit, play the game and at full time go straight home. This feature of the Covid-19 restrictions was especially unpalatable to members.
Ali Spencer also added that the Brahman’s were permitted to play competition after 18 July 2020 but not before. Brahman’s Captain Ben Boyton revealed that he had spoken to a large number of players who said they didn’t want to let Binalong down by refusing to play but also would like an option to not play if it was available.
Discussion turned to applying and enforcing Covid-19 safety rules to patrons, if and when they were allowed to return. Vice President Leon Arabin added; “If we don’t get crowds at our games then all our financial figures go out the window for this winter?”
As instructed, no awards nor trophies would be available in 2020 for George Tooke Shield and since the social side of league-tag and rugby league would be gone for this season the meeting unanimously voted to withdraw until 2021. However, Ali Spencer was keen to stage some social gatherings during the year.
