There's no way this season will strike any normality for the Bowral Blacks.
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But, now there's hope they can get back to what they do best, and that's playing good, hard footy.
Unable to play a regular season due to the COVID pandemic, the Bowral Blacks are trying to make sure their players hard work is appreciated as they look to compete in an Illawarra Rugby competition.
President of the Bowral Blacks, Mark Freund confirmed training had already begun.
"We started senior training Tuesday, June 26," Freund said.
"We didn't think we'd get the numbers, but we got a few players down, so that was an excellent start."
Nine months out of the year, you're training with a big bunch of mates, looking forward to playing the game we all love, to absolutely nothing.
- Bowral Black's first grade player, Lachlan Huntington.
The Illawarra Rugby competition will be called the 2020 COVID Cup.
It will be a ten round, first past the post competition held on August 1, 2020.
The boys in black will be roaring to make the most of this opportunity and trying to put this year's struggles behind them with positives on and off the field.
"It's been a definite struggle through the COVID crisis," Freund said.
"Financially and mentally, but we're getting there as a club together.
"The club house is finished and we will be unveiling it at the opening ceremony, Wednesday, July 1, 2020 at one o'clock in the afternoon."
2018 Illawarra Rugby Union player of the year and Bowral Black player, Lachlan Huntington said 2020 has been tough on the whole club.
"It's definitely been tough," Huntington said.
"One, it's very socially boring and two, I've really missed playing the game, because I love it.
"I've been going to the gym three times a week with the boys. We're tying to keep together, have the same mind set and keep the camaraderie up.
"With all the restrictions in place, it's pretty difficult. The training restrictions make it extremely difficult.
"It has been pretty tough. Nine months out of the year, you're training with a big bunch of mates, looking forward to playing the game we all love, to absolutely nothing. It's been very tough."
As tough as it has been, Huntington and the rest of the Bowral first grade players have brighter days ahead.
"I'm really looking forward to playing," Huntington said.
"The Illawarra idea was shot down originally, which was a huge downer. That put a dampen on everything, but once we got word it was back on, it's given us hope and we'll take this opportunity by the ears and make the most of it."
With the future looking brighter day-by-day, it could be seen as things getting back on track at Eridge Park, but things won't be normal just yet.
"Things back to normal for this season? Not a chance (laughs)," Fruend.
"What's normality now? (laughs). We can only do what we're allowed to do. Everything's quite restricted.
"But at the end of the day we're just trying to give the boys a run and make sure everyone is as safe as possible."
The junior Bowral Blacks will start training on Friday, June 26, 2020.
Social distancing will apply and no canteen or bar will be available.
The senior Illawarra Rugby competition will begin on August 1, 2020 and the junior competition is scheduled to begin on July 18, 2020.
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