Netball and soccer hit hard by new metro lockdown
Just as there was light at the end of the tunnel for community sport it has turned to darkness as metro Melbourne locks down again. Here’s what it means for local leagues.
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Local soccer and netball competitions across Melbourne’s metropolitan area have been dealt a major blow following Tuesday’s lockdown announcement.
Both sports were getting back on their feet and competition had resumed in some form for both.
On Tuesday, prior to the State Government’s announcement, Netball Victoria released proposed dates for a return for its Victoria Netball League competition.
It was set to begin on August 7 and culminate in grand finals being played on October 28, but those dates have been scrapped and the competition is now in jeopardy.
Meanwhile, Football Federation Australia canned its FFA Cup and NPL national finals series on Tuesday.
Football Victoria has suspended all matches, training and clinics for the length of the lockdown period in metro LGAs.
Soccer in regional Victoria will continue and the governing body will contact those clubs in coming days.
FV president Kimon Taliadoros said the timing of the lockdown was unfortunate.
“Its been a hard road to this point but unfortunately just as football was returning to our pitches were again faced with lockdowns across Victoria,” he said.
“We’ve only gotten this far because our community is resilient and united. We’ll have to call on that again as we continue to navigate the challenges ahead in Victoria’s toughest challenge for many, many years.
“For now we need to prioritise the health and safety of our families, loved ones and our community.
“Football will be here for you once we navigate the crisis. As always we need to support one another through this challenge ahead.”
Meanwhile, Auskick and footy training in metro Melbourne has been put on hold for six weeks.
The Northern Football Netball League this morning announced it would postpone its junior competition which was due to start this weekend.
It joined the Southern Metro Junior Football League which postponed its season for six weeks on Tuesday night.
However, every senior metro league in Melbourne had made the decision to scrub the 2020 season.
In regional Victoria, full-contact training and full-contact competitions, and Auskick can continue for people 18 years and under.
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