By MARK CASHMAN

The 2020 GPS rugby season has been suspended effective immediately with the very real prospect of no competition games being played at all.

“A statement on the Athletic Association of the Greater Public Schools of NSW website posted on Tuesday read: 

“The AAGPS Chairman, Mr Mark Ticehurst, in consultation with the GPS Headmasters’ Standing Committee, wishes to provide the following update regarding GPS sporting programmes in 2020:

“In light of the NSW Health correspondence “Minimising Risk of COVID-19 Transmission in NSW School Communities”, dated 14 August 2020, and in the best interest of the safety and welfare of our staff, students, volunteers and the entire AAGPS community and our many family and friends, the GPS Headmasters’ Standing Committee has announced that all AAGPS 2020 winter sport competitions and fixtures will be suspended effective immediately.

“The remainder of the 2020 calendar will remain as per scheduled, with schools permitted to conduct sporting activities within current Government health and safety guidelines in preparation for the re-commencement of AAGPS sporting fixtures when it is deemed safe and appropriate to do so.

“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.”

Reading between the lines it appears that the window for the season will not be extended but if the opportunity arises this suspension will be revisited if “deemed safe and appropriate”.

In the first round of the GPS rugby competition St Joseph’s College were due to play The King’s School in probably the pick of the games.

Elsewhere Shore were to play Newington College and The Scots College were to take on Newington College.