Sport’s state of play for Covid-19

Fans, players, and club members alike will return to a completely different sporting landscape following the Covid-19 pandemic. 179445 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

By sports editor Russell Bennett

The Victorian State Government provided a series of key updates earlier today (Sunday) that provide more clarity around the potential return for community sporting competitions in the coming weeks.

But no announcements have yet been forthcoming when it comes to a further scaling back of public gathering, specifically crowd, restrictions – seen by many as a key factor in a return to play, particularly when it comes to senior football and netball competitions.

It’s expected another significant announcement will be made next Sunday, 21 June.

Earlier today, Premier Daniel Andrews announced that full-contact training and competition, for those 18-years-of-age and under, can resume from next Monday, 22 June.

Full-contact training for adults can resume from Monday, 13 July with full-contact competition resumption from Monday 20 July.

Of course, the specific resumption dates – or even announcements on if certain leagues will begin their competitions in 2020 – are yet to be announced at a local level. A number of leagues across the state have already pulled the pin on a 2020 season.

It’s largely acknowledged that continued, significant restrictions on public gathering numbers would have a huge detrimental impact to most competitions returning in time for a 2020 season.

In a statement published on its website, AFL Victoria said: “We want to thank the Victorian Government for their support of Victorian football and thank the community and our health and essential workers – and the wider Victorian community – for an environment where community sport can resume.

“We are excited to work with our leagues and clubs to begin the 2020 Community Football and NAB AFL Auskick Season where so many girls, boys, women and men have the opportunity to return to play.

“We also want to acknowledge all the community clubs who were committed to following the physical distancing and hygiene protocols associated with a Return to Small Group Training.

“As we prepare to move toward contact training and competition play, AFL Victoria will work with leagues, clubs, participants, coaches, umpires and all volunteers to ensure we return to competition play in an effective and safe manner in adherence with Victorian Government guidelines and AFL Return to Play Framework (RTP Framework).

“We know how much community football means to Victorian families and we look forward to working together to ensuring community clubs return to play in a safe and well managed environment.”

Premier Andrews also announced that clubs and community facilities will also be able to reopen their change rooms, supporting this gradual return to sport.