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Local footy: Victoria’s largest junior football comp confirms start date

It was touted last month, and now Victoria’s largest junior football competition has confirmed its season start date.

Locked in: the YJFL confirms its season structure and start date.
Locked in: the YJFL confirms its season structure and start date.

Victoria’s largest junior football league has locked in its return to play date, with a 14-week season confirmed.

The Yarra Junior Football League, which comprises 11,000 players, 32 clubs and 550 teams in Melbourne’s north and east, has said it will take the field again on July 12.

The announcement follows the neighbouring Eastern and Northern leagues slating their respective return dates of July 25 and July 12.

The Andrews government gave the green light on Sunday for the resumption of full-contact training and competition for those aged 18 and under from June 22.

In an open letter on Thursday to the Minister of Sport, Martin Pakula, and the Minister of Community Sport, Ros Spence, YJFL president Jeff Hooper confirmed the season structure after the league touted the start date late last month.

“The season will comprise of 12 home and away games plus two weeks of finals in October,” Hooper said in the letter.

“The season will conclude on Sunday, October 11, as a result of your work & the AFL in gathering the support of Cricket Victoria to extend the AFL junior season dates.”

Hooper acknowledged the benefits local sport brings to the community.

Yarra Junior FL takes on the Eastern FL in a rep match. Picture: Supplied.
Yarra Junior FL takes on the Eastern FL in a rep match. Picture: Supplied.

“We know how many of our young people have been suffering during COVID-19 lockdowns, both physically and mentally,” he said.

“In a normal season, research shows that three players in every team will suffer some form of emotional disturbance, and we are certain that will be a higher number this year. Your announcement will help these boys and girls significantly.”

While clubs will be bound by AFL Victoria’s protocols and guidelines, including having COVID-19 safety officers and no access to club rooms barring toilets, Hooper said July 12 would be “a massive day for our community.”

“Our 32 sporting clubs and over 550 teams that compete will be fully conversant in COVID-19 management rules, and appropriate social distancing guidelines of the day will be practiced,” he said.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/sport/local-footy-victorias-largest-junior-football-comp-confirms-start-date/news-story/fdfccf3a4ec9c0c0edd78d03db0dde19