Manly Sea Eagles trainer Don Singe running training sessions while unvaccinated from Covid-19
The NRL is facing a Covid nightmare with revelations a senior Manly staffer has been working unvaccinated while supervising players during training.
Phil RothfieldSports Editor-at-large
The Manly Sea Eagles have created an NRL Covid furore by allowing their head of high performance to work unvaccinated while supervising players and overseeing the club’s off-season training programs.
The Daily Telegraph has obtained photographs from the club’s North Narrabeen training headquarters on Tuesday of unvaccinated and unmasked sports fitness guru Don Singe in charge of a two-hour session.
He had a white mask around his wrist but was not wearing it in accordance with club health protocols.
Somehow Singe gets daily access to Manly’s state government-owned fitness centre despite a huge sign showing proof of vaccination is required to enter the facility.
Manly stands accused of shocking double standards after pressuring a number of their high-profile players to get vaccinated in recent months.
One of their star players, Josh Aloiai, last week became the
first NRL player to test positive to Covid, although he had not been in contact with Singe.
Singe is a controversial figure who fell out with one of Australia’s most experienced sports doctors Nathan Gibbs last season over his conditioning methods which led to the veteran medico quitting the club.
Manly’s chief executive Stephen Humphreys insists the club is not breaking health protocols.
“Don is discussing his situation with his GP and our chief medical officer,” Humphreys said.
“It’s under review at the moment is the way I’d describe it.
“I really don’t want to talk about the private health matters of any of my employees.
“It’s not my place to talk about his beliefs.”
This at a time when the NRL has been strongly advocating Covid vaccinations with more than 500 contracted players, coaches and officials.
Only half a dozen players across the entire game remain unvaccinated.
Humphreys however insists: “We are definitely adhering to NRL protocols.
“Don is getting tested every day and completing all the details on his full whereabouts.
“He’s wearing a mask and not going into shared areas of the facility.”
However, a cameraman from The Daily Telegraph took photos on Tuesday morning which showed this was not the case in regards to Singe wearing his mask.
“The NRL would expect us to follow the protocols which we are,” Humphreys said.
When asked about the sign at the entrance to Manly training requesting proof of vaccination upon entry, Humphreys responded: “As I told you, we are complying with all NRL and Sydney Academy of Sport requirements and protocols.”
The Daily Telegraph understands not all Manly players are aware of Singe’s position, although he has actively expressed his anti-vax beliefs on social media.
Many of his recent posts have now been taken down.
He recently re-shared a Facebook post of a famous photo of a man refusing to do the “Sieg Heil” salute during a Nazi rally in Hamburg in 1936, which anti-vaxxers have used lately to liken to the push for mandatory vaccinations.
Whether you are unvaccinated or vaccinated is not an issue, the really important life changing question is … ‘Will you demonstrate tolerance and empathy for peoples (sic) personal choice’,” Singe wrote, accompanying the post.
Asked if he was encouraging Singe to get vaccinated, Humphreys said: “Yes we’re helping him and his family around education. I’d hope that it will come to a good conclusion soon.”
Singe declined to return phone calls or text messages when The Daily Telegraph attempted to contact him yesterday.
If the situation remains unchanged, Singe will be banned from attending matches interstate or possibly at other match-day venues in Sydney where proof of double vaccination is required.
Clint Newtown, head of the RLPA, said he was unaware Singe was working with the players while unvaccinated.
The club has an obligation to continue to provide a safe and healthy workplace,” he said. “They have to put the right protocols in place that includes daily testing and other biosecurity measures.”
The NRL has been approached for comment.
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