Bendigo Fighting Miners' 50th anniversary season has been postponed due to coronavirus concerns.
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On Monday Rugby Australia, with support from state and territory members unions and the national development panel, decided to postpone all community rugby until the first week of May.
The decision is effective immediately and has been made with the interests of all of the sports' participants, families and broader community as the priority.
"In arriving at this decision, Rugby Australia and the Member Unions have considered public health information and the advice of the Rugby Australia Chief Medical Officer, Dr Warren McDonald," a statement released by RA said.
The group acknowledged that the decision made was more conservative than what had been recommended by Australian state and territory governments.
"However, it has been made to provide clarity to the Rugby community in a challenging and disruptive time," the statement said.
The decision includes matches,training and face-to-face education courses.
The Miners were scheduled to start their season on April 4 with a home game against Eltham.
The squad was also scheduled to play a series of trial games during the next few weeks, which included a trial match against Shepparton which was due to be played on Saturday.
Both Rugby Australia and member unions will now focus on plans on how to deliver a modified season, which at this stage is on the cards to begin in early May.
Moving ahead there will also be weekly meetings with the national development panel to review the situation and communicate regular updates.
Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle said the situation was "constantly evolving".
"The health and safety of our players, staff, volunteers and the entire Rugby community continues to be our number one priority and while we all want to see the game back up and running as soon as possible, we won't make any decisions that put anyone at risk," Castle said.
The current situation has seen several major sports events and gatherings postponed.
The Bendigo, Heathcote District, Loddon Valley, North Central and Bendigo Junior football leagues have pushed their starting dates back to May 2.
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