22/09/2021
*****Sir Michael Jones Championship Cancellation 2021*****
After the Govt announcement on Tuesday 4pm to keep Auckland in lockdown Level 3 for a another fortnight, thus pushing the timeline of squads not being able to meet until the 2nd week of October (Subject to Covid Level moving down to Level 2?), This raised serious concerns from our conference leaders around the severely shortened timeline of preparedness for the players and everyones ability to safely conduct pre tournament training sessions and warm up games, with no guarantees we drop further to Level 2 when teams would actually not be able to assemble until mid October which means only 3 weeks to muster, train and have pre tournament games?, we originally had a 6 week lead in preparedness schedule for the conferences.
* In light of the Player welfare issue and uncertainty of key deadlines/timelines, it has been determined that we need to put the tournament on hold in the best interests of our players and clubs until such time we all can see a level of certainty and safe guards, to protect the Mana and integrity of our tournament and key partner Sky Sport.
A huge Faafetai tele lava/ THANK YOU!, to all of our dear club rugby community for your unwavering support of the Sir Michael Jones Trophy, The tournament is and always will be owned and driven by the GRASS ROOTS CLUB RUGBY COMMUNITY for the benefit of all U21 players who are the future of our clubs and deserve to be given more opportunities, we look forward to regrouping and planning for an even better 2022 championship, watch this space!!....🙏🏉🙌
