By MARK CASHMAN

The GPS Rugby season is back on and will kick into gear on Saturday after an extensive series of negotiations with the NSW Health and the State Government.

The welcome move follows a meeting with health and government officials on Wednesday night.

Chairman of the Athletic Association of the Greater Public Schools, Mr Mark Ticehurst, in consultation with the GPS Headmasters’ Standing Committee, provided the following statement on the association’s website on Thursday:

“All AAGPS competitions will re-commence on Saturday 29 August 2020,” the statement read.

“The full details of a revised schedule, including for fixtures that were to be played on Saturday 22 August 2020 will be available shortly on the AAGPS website.

“The AAGPS reiterates that it will follow the advice of NSW Health and other relevant authorities and will always act in the best interests of the health and well-being of students, staff and the community.

“This means that AAGPS winter competitions will remain closed to spectators.

“Participating students and staff will adhere to COVID-19 guidelines from NSW Health at all times, including restricting large numbers of students gathering, and of the understanding that AAGPS fixtures should be run within local boundaries determined by schools or school systems.

“As determined by NSW Health, there is no requirement for the member schools of the AAGPS to follow the same zonal boundaries as applies to public schools.

“The AAGPS acknowledges that advice and the current situation has, and will continue to change rapidly. As the situation evolves, the AAGPS will continue to monitor, and act accordingly throughout the remainder of 2020.”

This means that Newington will take on Shore, The King’s School will play St Ignatius College Riverview and Scots College will play St Joseph’s College Hunters Hill in what is the pick of the round.

The Round One fixtures will be played on either the final Tuesday or Wednesday of the term.

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