Brumbies forced to relocate due to continual rampage of Australia fires

The Brumbies’ recently resumed Super Rugby pre-season is set for some disruption thanks to the fires rampaging over Australia’s east coast.

The life-threatening fires, which are prevalent in Victoria and New South Wales, have pumped massive amounts of smoke into the atmosphere, which has caused disturbances as far away as Auckland.

ACT, despite not facing issues on the same scale as its sister states, has also been impacted by the smoke.

This has prompted the Brumbies to move away from their usual training base at the University of Canberra, instead setting up shop in Newcastle.

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The full press release is below:

The Plus500 Brumbies have made the decision to temporarily relocate their training base to Newcastle after the University of Canberra announced the immediate and indefinite closure of their indoor and outdoor training facilities on campus due to hazardous air quality being experienced onsite and in the Canberra region.

The devastating fires throughout the ACT, New South Wales and Victoria has seen Canberra’s air quality become a player welfare issue and with round one less than four weeks away the side were forced to look at other options.

Staff will continue to work with the University of Canberra who are liaising with the ACT Emergency Services Authority to continue to monitor the weather and air quality conditions in Canberra and on the University campus.

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The Brumbies will also continue to monitor the conditions for all other programs including Super W and Brumbies Academy with the Australian Institute of Sport also closing their facilities.

“Firstly, our thoughts are with those affected by the devastating events throughout the country,” Plus500 Brumbies Head Coach Dan McKellar said.

“The small changes we have had to make are nothing in comparison to the distressing position so many people in our region are sadly experiencing at the moment.

“Player welfare is always a priority and temporarily moving to Newcastle will allow us to continue to prepare for our round one match on January 31.”

– Rugby ACT

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar is aiming for better and brighter things in 2020 from Australia’s most successful Super Rugby side: