Coronavirus: Soccer players spotted training for hours at Glen Iris’ Gardiner Reserve
A small sports field in Melbourne’s inner east is attracting groups of soccer players and personal trainers, who could be breaching the State Government’s coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
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Soccer players and personal trainers have been spotted potentially breaking lockdown rules at a Glen Iris sports pitch.
Leader has seen groups of people playing soccer and personal trainers using the pitch for longer than an hour at Gardiner Park, off Caroll Crescent, in recent weeks.
The State Government’s Stage 4 coronavirus restrictions allow only one hour of outdoor exercise a day within 5km of a person’s home, with a maximum group size of two people.
Prahran police Senior Sergeant Neil Schlittler said proactive unit officers had not received any complaints about activity at the pitch.
Sen-Sgt Schlittler said exercising in facilities classified as open space was allowed but it was up to Stonnington Council to determine this.
He said outdoor sports facilities and community sport training and competition could not occur under the Government’s restrictions.
Sen-Sgt Schlittler said only professional teams and athletes could continue to train at sport facilities, and only one team or athlete could use a facility at any given time.
A-League teams Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City are training and playing matches interstate.
“If they are professional athletes and teams, they can train and have an exemption,” Sen-Sgt Schlittler said.
“But if you’re talking about personal trainers training a middle-aged couple who aren’t professional athletes, that’s not appropriate.”
Sen-Sgt Schlittler encouraged people to phone police on 131 444 if they saw someone doing the wrong thing and visit the Department of Health and Human Services website for the latest advice.
Stonnington Council spokesman Sean Ross said residents could only use the park in line with the State Government’s restrictions.
Mr Ross said police planned to investigate the situation at the park on Wednesday and do additional patrols going forward.
“We are working with the local police network to ensure restrictions are being followed at key areas such as Gardiner Park, and additional resources have been allocated to investigate these potential breaches,” he said.
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