Children suffer as sports seasons cut short, key events ditched

Tens of thousands of Melbourne kids have been dealt a devastating blow, with many told their sporting seasons won’t be extended.

Tens of thousands of devastated Melbourne kids are being told their seasons won’t be extended, and face them ending without another match being played.

It comes as hundreds of schools cancel inter-school sport competitions, camps, theatre productions and other major activities without rescheduling them.

As the city’s lockdown stretches into a second week, sports clubs are setting end-of-season dates of early to mid September, warning extensions into October are not possible.

Time is running out for both indoor and outdoor sports such as football, netball, basketball, soccer, futsal and gymnasticsto resume, with the current lockdown set to run until at least August 19.

The Yarra Junior Football League, which has 11,000 players, has set September 5 as its final date for games. The league is hopeful, but not optimistic, matches can proceed on August 22, 29 and September 5.

Canterbury Cobras Junior Football Club president Shaun LaMotte said his club’s 300 players were devastated at the prospect of the end of the season with so few games.

“It’s so hard after missing most of last year and a huge chunk of this year, it’s so tough on them,” he said. “We know the YJFL has done all it could.”

Canterbury Cobras Junior FC players Ned, Sam, Grace, Maddie and Hamish are unable to play due to lockdown. Picture: Ian Currie

Sue Reddish of the Boroondara Netball Association said 3500 players and officials were “ready to go regardless when we’re allowed to play again”. The association set September 11 as the final date of the winter season.

“In some ways this year has been worse than last year because it’s been so on-and-off whereas last year it was just off,’’ she said.

Soccer competitions are in a similar situation, with Williamstown secretary Henrik Nielsen saying disruptions for its 500 players had also affected the club financially.

“We can’t sell food at the canteens and we are struggling to get volunteers. Children are really missing training and going to games,” Mr Nielsen said.

Year 12 student, Jasmina, 17, of Keysborough, said her life had been “turned upside down” due to the pandemic.

“I have missed out on my production, school sporting competitions and camps – I’ll never have the chance to do those things again,” she said.

Independent Schools Victoria chief Michelle Green said measures to control Covid-19 had seriously disrupted and in many cases halted important events crucial to a well-rounded education and student wellbeing.

“This includes sport, music, drama and social events. While restrictions are necessary to control the pandemic, we hope officials will be flexible so that these events can safely go ahead, even in a limited format,” Ms Green said.

Saskia, 11, Patrick, 11, Amelie, 8, and Nicholas, 8, are missing their sports. Picture: Tim Carrafa

“Schools are planning for major events like formals and speech nights later in the year and they are thinking about flexible and safe ways these can go ahead. They hope governments will do likewise.”

An Education Department spokesman said: “We know how heartbreaking it is when schools have to cancel camps, excursions and extra-curricular events, and we encourage all schools to reschedule these events wherever possible to ensure all students can experience the special events that make the school year so exciting.”

Junior sports will be back on this weekend in regional Victoria.