Community leagues across South Australia say they’re no certainty to play in 2020 despite receiving training clearances
South Australian community football leagues have said they’re no certainty to pull on the boots in 2020 despite being cleared to train under strict coronavirus protocols.
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Community football leagues say they are no certainty to play in 2020 despite being given the all clear by the State Government to train under strict COVID-19 protocols.
Clubs were allowed to begin training on May 18, but June 8 remains D-Day when the government is expected to announce further easing of COVID restrictions.
For sporting leagues that could mean whether crowds are allowed at games and, in turn, whether they can receive money from gate, bar and canteen takings.
Southern Football League clubs met last night with the league’s hierarchy with several clubs already set to file paperwork with the league that their Return to Play COVID guidelines were in place.
Among those requirements were that each club had to nominate a COVID officer who had completed the online course needed.
But some clubs were believed to need more time before having all requirements in place.
SFL president Craig Warman, who has done the advanced training needed, said clubs had to be well prepared to get the nod to train.
“It will be really interesting to see what happens,’’ Warman said.
“Clubs have to come to us with their paperwork so we can tick off the requirements. If clubs can’t comply they can’t train.
“Then we (clubs) meet on June 10 to decide what to do after the Government announces their updates on June 8.
“If no crowds are allowed then I have a feeling we won’t go ahead.
“Whatever happens, even if we play, all the medals for the best and fairest etc will be probably known as the President’s Medal because we wouldn’t have had the usual full season so we don’t want to disrespect our traditions without having a full season.’’
Noarlunga president Mark Anderson, also his club’s COVID officer, was guarded in the approach to training and possibly playing.
“I’m all about health first, playing can come after that,’’ Anderson said.
“I think some clubs are going to struggle to be ready. It’s not a case of near enough. Everything must be ticked off and cleared. We all want to get back to normal but we have to also be doing the right thing.’’
Flagstaff Hill Football Club president Neil Williams also said his club was keen to get back on to the ground with the right support.
“For us we want to get everything right, dot the Is and cross the Ts,’’ Williams said.
“We want to make sure all of our club knows what to do and what is expected of them.’’
River Murray Football League, which runs its programs linked to the River Murray Netball Association, also is heading back to training.
But president Terry Connolly said it was too early to say whether games would be played this season.
“Training restrictions have been lifted but there is no pressure on clubs to go back to training yet,’’ Connolly said.
“We will be guided by the SANFL and State Government but will be following the strict protocols needed.
“One of our key issues is getting our youth back out and training and being involved. We fear we may lose some of those young players if they don’t train or play.
“And if we do play we are still looking at running a junior program. Last year we had been live streaming games and we may look to do that again for seniors or for juniors if we only have them play.’’
The Barossa Light and Gawler Football Association and its netball counterpart are meeting tonight (football) and Wednesday (netball) to discuss their 2020 futures.
Country netball comp pulls plug on 2020
A country netball association has pulled the pin on its 2020 junior and senior competitions but believes it can come back bigger and stronger next year.
The Yorke Peninsula Netball Association’s nine-member clubs votes unanimously to call off competitions this year to help protect the health and well being of the community.
Sports teams were given the green light to return to training on Monday under a raft of conditions, including a 1.5m space between players and coaches during non-contact sessions.
But YPNA president Sue Brown told The Messenger the strict COVID-19 guidelines created uncertainty and would have put too much pressure on clubs.
“We could’ve started training … but the viability of doing all that and for parents who could only drop of their children and couldn’t stay,” Brown said.
“The coach would have had to take full responsibility being the dedicated COVID-19 person, taking record of every body, it would just put a huge strain of the volunteers.
“Being in the country a lot of our volunteers work in the health field and a lot of our seniors have young children so you are putting them in a vulnerable position as well.
“Just mainly for the health and safety of everyone the decision was made to cancel it.”
Brown said too much revenue would be lost by putting on a coronavirus-affected season with no crowds and no bar sales.
She said members hoped to put together a ‘miniseries’ for juniors later this year if it was safe to do so.
“There would be no income coming in with not being able to run the canteen – especially in the country, clubs can’t afford it.
“But we will come back bigger and better next year.”
Kadina Netball Club president Loren Franz said it was disappointing but the decision was a responsible way forward.
“There were a number of restrictions, contingencies and a lot of hoops to jump through to make sure we had the capacity to have a viable competition,” Franz said.
“We could get ready for a quasi competition, start training all the with the COVID restrictions.
“But then it would be really difficult for us to look at how that worked without being able to open our canteens and clubrooms.
“Some people are really disappointed and I get that because it would’ve provides normality and gets kids back into sport.
“But with the restrictions in relation to parents and because we travel, then what does that look like?
“Yes, we want sport to happen, but at a community level until we can make it viable there’s not much use us playing.”
Meanwhile, the Barossa, Light & Gawler Netball Association was set to meet later this week to discuss the pros and cons of playing in 2020.
Southern United Netball Association secretary Laurie Bilby said nothing had been decided but a season was looking a strong chance of getting underway.
The state government is set to ease phase two restrictions on June 8.
Adelaide Footy League reveals season start date
The Adelaide Footy League is planning for a return to the field as early as July 4 while awaiting key restrictions to be lifted by the State Government.
As the need for crowds to be allowed into games and clubs to open bars and canteens remains crucial to the season getting underway, the league revealed its preferred start date to clubs on Monday.
Beginning on July 4 would mean enough time for the competitions men’s and women’s divisions to play a nine-round season before finals and then grand finals on September 29.
League chief executive John Kernahan said the date was subject to change pending decisions by SA Health and Premier Steven Marshall, but would offer clubs a guide to plan their return to playing matches.
“The league is both cognisant and respectful of the greater need to be aware of health for the wider community,” Kernahan said.
“Clearly the ability to trade with food and beverage is a key pillar to be able to have clubs field teams in their communities.
“We are eagerly waiting for any announcements from Premier Steven Marshall on June 8th that will allow us to resume some semblance of a sustainable and viable competition.”
Kernahan told The Messenger last month the competition would only start once restrictions regarding outdoor venues were lifted to an acceptable level.
Stopping supporters from entering venues would be difficult with the majority of Adelaide Footy League grounds not fenced in.
Additionally, clubs would only be able to cover the cost of putting teams on the field if they could generate revenue through canteen and bar areas.
The State Government is set to ease phase two restrictions on June 8 and Mr Marshall has said some competitive matches could resume without spectators.
From Monday clubs can return to training in groups of 10 with strict protocols in place including 1.5m space between players and coaches at all times during the non-contact sessions.
The Adelaide Footy League plan also includes one or two weeks before July 4 for trial matches to be held, without spectators and food and beverage trading.
While a season start beyond the planned date was also possible, Kernahan said it would mean modifying the finals series and pushing grand finals into October.
The Messenger reported last month SA cricket associations were willing to work with football leagues to share ovals should the winter sport need to push beyond its traditional season end date.
Initial discussions have been held between key stakeholders including the SA Cricket Association, SANFL and Adelaide Footy League.
Yankalilla pulls plug on 2020 campaign
The Yankalilla Football Club has become the first team in SA to pull the pin on the 2020 season due to financial concerns.
The Great Southern Football League side announced on Sunday night it would not participate this year because of uncertainty over crowds being allowed into matches and its ability to run a canteen and bar.
The decision includes the Tiger’s senior men, women and junior teams.
Yankalilla’s A grade was set to be led this season by new coach Lindsay Thomas, who played 212 AFL games with North Melbourne.
President Bob Williss said Yankalilla made the call in the best interests of the club and its community.
“It is still very uncertain and a big unknown to say exactly what will happen over the next few week and months,” Williss said in an announcement to club members.
“This decision was not made lightly but we feel it is the right one.
“We believe that playing half a season with restrictions will be a detriment.”
Williss did not return calls from The Messenger.
GSFL president Terry Corcoran said the league respected Yankalilla’s decision and the Tigers would still be allowed to play in 2020 if the club changes its mind.
He said the league was working towards beginning its season in early July with nine rounds, finals and a grand final in early October, if restrictions on crowds, canteens and bars are lifted.
“It was an unfortunate post and they probably shouldn’t have posted because the decision is based on their own club, not the league,” Corcoran said.
“We had a meeting on Thursday night where all clubs decided they would wait and see and move along with the protocols for training. But Bob Williss called me on Friday night and said they had a committee meeting and decided to pull the pin.
“The GSFL is looking at, with everything falling into place, we will play football this year. If it doesn’t, then we won’t.
“But it will be a decision made by the 10 clubs, not just one.
“If things open up and Yankalilla want to retract their position, then they will still be able to play.”
Corcoran said the league and its clubs would meet again on June 10 to make key decisions on the season.
The state government is set to ease phase two restrictions on June 8.
The majority of GSFL clubs were due to begin training on Tuesday night.
From Monday, clubs are allowed to return to training in groups of 10 under strict protocols.