A look at the rules local footy clubs will likely have to adhere to before training can begin
Local football clubs are still banned from officially training together until AFL Victoria can develop health and safety guidelines but here’s what you can expect when footy’s given the green light.
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AFL Northern Territory has provided an insight into the rules local clubs will be expected to follow to ensure a return to training.
With the Territory more advanced in the fight against COVID-19, AFLNT has released a list of requirements to ensure player and staff safety.
Local teams will be allowed to start training together from midnight on Friday should they complete the checklist.
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AFL Victoria met with Melbourne’s eight senior and junior metropolitan leagues on Tuesday to discuss ways to restart the season in Victoria.
A joint statement from the leagues said official training was still banned until protocols could be put in place and approved by local councils, leagues and clubs.
AFLNT incorporates the Barkly Australian Football League (BAFL), Big Rivers Football League (BRFL), Central Australian Football League (CAFL) and Northern Territory Football League (NTFL), which a host of Victorian-based players travel north every year to play in.
Some of the conditions include having all medical staff and support staff complete COVID-19 infection control training and clubs completing the Territory government’s safety checklist for community sport.
Under the guidelines, no physical contact will be permitted – tackling, marking contests – a distance of 1.5m between players must be maintained and all equipment must be sanitised before and during sessions.
AFLNT: SEE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES HERE
Players are also being asked to arrive ready for training to reduce activity inside changerooms, shower immediately before and after training at home and avoid handshakes and high fives.
If any family members are ill or showing flu-like symptoms players are asked not to attend training and contact their clubs.
It is expected similar protocols will be enforced in Victoria when club training is given the green light to resume.
However, harder restrictions may apply given the Victorian government’s hard-line stance on social distancing compared to other states.
The Northern Territory currently only has 30 confirmed cases of the virus, while 15 new cases were discovered in Victoria on May 12, taking its total to 1509.
In its joint statement, AFL Victoria said return to training rules would be finalised soon.
“A number of considerations around health and safety protocols and insurance need to be worked through prior to training being sanctioned,” the statement said.
The NFL, WRFL, EDFL, EFL, VAFA and Southern leagues have all postponed their seasons to at least May 31.