Hetherington hopeful training return can happen next month

Leeds Rhinos Chief Executive Gary Hetherington is hopeful his side can return to training next month.

Rugby League in this country has been suspended since March, and no return date has currently been set. Despite this, Hetherington is hopeful the Rhinos can appear in front of crowds in October.

He said: “I do know there is a real determination throughout our game to “do whatever it takes” to return as soon as it is safe to do so.

“Our players and rugby staff are keeping in touch with each other and keeping as active as possible and they are all looking forward to meeting up again and training together. We are hopeful this could be as soon as next month.”

“We are now past the peak of Covid-19 but the road to whatever the “new normal” turns out to be is still very much ‘under construction’ and whilst the safety of our players, staff and fans will be our number one priority, I do believe we can look forward to an exciting second half of the year.”

On welcoming fans back to Headingley, he added: “Games in front of crowds is what we all want and as soon as possible.

“We have no definite information on this but our hope and best guess at this stage is the start of October but this could change as the lockdown relaxes and Government gains confidence from what is happening in other countries who are ahead of us.

“It is likely some restrictions will remain and our season members will be prioritised to attend these matches should this be the case.”