Coronavirus: Local footy leagues, sports outline plans

Many Victorian leagues and clubs have delayed or cut short their seasons, while others play on for now as the coronavirus crisis affects much of Melbourne’s sporting world. See what’s happening with your community sport.

Junior footballers have been banned from touching each other in a local league. Generic picture: iStock

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The coronavirus crisis is creating havoc across Melbourne’s sporting landscape. Here is what each code is doing in response.

ATHLETICS

Updated March 20

■ 2020 Australian Little Athletics Championships (ALACs) – Cancelled

■ 2020 Stawell Gift – Postponed

■ The Gun Runners running club is continuing to host weekly group runs while maintaining social distancing. Club members meet from 6.15pm and the run starts at 6.30pm each Tuesday evening. It’s a free untimed run with 3.5km or 5km options, and any standard of runner or jogger welcome. Club meets near the corner of Aughtie Drive and Albert Road Drive. Google Maps coordinates: 37°50’24.9”S 144°57’50.0”E

Details: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1147699358622893/

AUSSIE RULES

Updated March 23

All AFL and AFL State association-managed or operated leagues, along with the NAB AFL Auskick Centres programs currently operating or set to begin, will be postponed until May 31, 2020.

■ EDFL – Postponed until May 2 - Meeting today

■ VAFA – Postponed until May 31

■ EFNL – Postponed until May 31

■ NFNL – Postponed until May 31

■ SFNL – Postponed until May 31

■ WRFL – Postponed until May 31

■ RDFNL – Postponed until May 31

■ BFNL – Postponed until May 31

■ SMJFL – Postponed until May 31

■ YJFL – Postponed until May 31

■ BFNL – Postponed until May 31

■ MPJFL – Postponed until after June 1

■ FDJFL – Postponed until after June 1

■ MPNFL – Postponed until after June 1

■ SEJ – Postponed until after June 1

■ SEWF – Postponed until after June 1

MONDAY LATEST: VFL FACES INDEFINITE SUSPENSION

Uni Blues celebrate last year’s VAFA flag. The league has planned for a competition postponement and disbandment in wake of the coronavirus. Picture: Hamish Blair

BASKETBALL

Updated March 18

■ Australian Junior Championships – Postponed

■ Training – Basketball Victoria recommends training sessions are postponed until further notice

■ VJBL – VJBL games are postponed until at least April 17

■ Big V – Big V games are postponed until at least April 13

■ Country Championships – The Under 12 and Under 14 Country Championships are postponed until further notice.

■ Under 14 Skills Days – Postponed until further notice

■ Aussie Hoops – Suspended until at least April 13

CRICKET

Updated March 19

Cricket Australia has recommended all community cricket associations to finish for the season, sparking mass cancellations of local grand final matches.

■ Victorian Premier Cricket – Cancelled remaining games

■ VTCA – Cancelled remaining games

■ VSDCA – Cancelled remaining games

■ DDCA – Cancelled remaining games

■ RDCA – Cancelled remaining games

■ YVCA – Cancelled remaining games

■ FTGDCA – Cancelled remaining games

■ GDCA – Cancelled remaining games

■ NMCA – Cancelled remaining games

■ BH Reporter – No decision yet

■ MCA — grand finals to go ahead “at this stage”.

HOCKEY

Updated March 17

■ Hockey Victoria released a statement on Tuesday saying it would attempt to play out the 2020 winter season as games would rarely exceed the 500 people mark in one venue, but hasn’t released any updates since harsher restrictions were announced on Wednesday.

■ Hockey Australia announced the Under-15 and Under-18 national championships are cancelled.

NETBALL

Updated March 18

Netball Victoria chief executive Rosie King released a statement on Tuesday recommending competitions be suspended until the end of the school holidays (Tuesday, April 14).

But she encouraged associations and leagues to make independent decisions based on community feedback.

For updates go to vic.netball.com.au

RACING

Updated March 19

The Valley Racecourse Group 1 Keogh Homes William Reid Stakes – No public entry

SCHOOL SPORT

Updated March 23

■ Associated Public Schools of Victoria – Cancelled all sport for term one and winter sport will not commence prior to May 30.

■ Associated Grammar Schools of Victoria – Swimming championships postponed

SOCCER

Updated March 18

■ National Premier League – Suspended until April 14

■ FFA Cup – Suspended until April 14

■ Youth and grassroots football (including MiniRoos and futsal) – Suspended until April 14

■ Training and associated football related activities – Suspended until April 14

SWIMMING

Updated March 18

■ Training – Clubs can continue at their own discretion

■ Club and district competitions – Swimming Victoria recommends they be cancelled

TENNIS

Updated March 27

Tennis Victoria, in an email to all clubs, has recommended all tennis programs, coaching and club, association and social play be cancelled until further notice.

All clubs and centres should also be closed.

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