The MVCA has announced that its NSW clubs, along with Goulburn Murray side Moama, will play T20 games from October 10.
The league will then look to start its regular season on November 7, with the hope of the Victorian/NSW border opening before then.
President Anthony Holmes said the league would wait on advice from the Victorian Government before a final decision is made.
‘‘We still do not have any training or playing COVID requirements for Victoria. Hopefully we have them this week though,’’ he said.
‘‘All New South Wales clubs have the New South Wales training and playing COVID requirements, so that’s why we will look to get them started next month.
‘‘Hopefully the borders are open by November 7 and we will be able to start our MVCA competition.
‘‘If not, we are looking at holding a New South Wales competition with our teams, as well as Moama, and hopefully our Victorian teams can join the Goulburn Murray clubs this year.
‘‘We have made contact with the GMCA and are hopeful the clubs in that comp are happy to accommodate our Victorian teams if the borders don’t open.
‘‘Our main goal is to get everyone back out there and playing cricket, so we’re doing everything we can to make sure this happens.’’
The Rhinos have already started preparing for the start of the season, starting their pre-season training on Sunday, August 9.
Rhinos secretary/treasurer and Premier Grade player Brad Todd said the side was keen to get going if COVID-19 restrictions allow for the desired start date.
‘‘It’s good to know we can start working to a specific date, but as with the footy season we know it can change very quickly,’’ he said.
‘‘Hopefully the restrictions keep getting smaller and smaller and things can get back to some normality as soon as possible.
‘‘At the moment it has been quite casual at training, but we are now training Thursday nights at Memorial Park at 5pm and Sundays at 10.30am.
‘‘We should start to see a few more new faces at training this week.
‘‘We also have a practice game in the works for September 26 in Hay and possibly a return game the first week of October, so this will be a bonus for us leading into the first couple of T20s.’’
Todd said the side is also excited to welcome Moama to the competition, even if it is only for a short period of time.
‘‘It’s always good to play against other sides. They are in the unfortunate position of playing in a predominately Victorian competition, so they really don’t have anywhere else to play.
‘‘Looking at results from last year they will be a good side as they played off in the semis and finished on top of their competition, so Moama coming in it will only be a positive for the comp.’’
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