University first grade coach Dion Miller is confident his team will be back to challenge for a title in 2021 after the side made the difficult decision to withdraw from this year's Illawarra Rugby season.
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The Bulls were hampered by restrictions on student travel and face-to-face learning, with many players returning home due to coronavirus.
Additionally, a number of the team's older players were unable to commit to playing due to work and family commitments and Miller said they were left with no choice but to withdraw from the season.
The club will still field a team in the second grade competition.
"Unfortunately we had to withdraw our first grade team," Miller said. "We just had a limited playing group at that level.
"We have an under 18s team in the Sydney competition and wanted to keep our young guys in that program. It's quite important for their development to play there rather than in first grade before they're ready.
"We just didn't have the numbers to participate in first grade, which is sad, but understandable. All clubs have been affected, but it's compounded on us worse than anticipated."
With Bowral also opting out of this year's season, a nine-round, eight-team competition will be played. Each side will face two clubs twice.
The delayed season will kick off on Saturday with a grand final rematch between Avondale and Shamrocks. The two sides will clash for a second time just a fortnight later in round three.
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Cameron Mee
Sports reporter at the Canberra Times
Sports reporter at the Canberra Times
