Local footy to kick off later after AFL suspends season
Victorian metro footy leagues have delayed the start of their seasons until May 31, falling into line with the AFL’s move to suspend its season.
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Five of the six major senior metropolitan community football leagues have pushed back their seasons to June.
In line with the AFL’s announcement yesterday that it was suspending its 2020 season until May 31, the Eastern FNL, Northern FNL, Southern FNL, Western Region FL and Victorian Amateur Football Association decided to delay their kick-offs until the same date.
The Essendon District league board will meet tonight and is expected to follow suit.
In a statement this morning, the Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western Region and VAFA said they were “united in their support of the AFL decision and look forward to working with AFL Victoria to work through all associated issues.’’
“The health and wellbeing of our players, coaches, umpires, volunteers and associated stakeholders remains our first priority, as does the sustainability of all of our clubs,’’ they said.
“We urge all associated with our respective communities to heed the advice and regulations in place by order of the State Government.
“Further updates will be provided in due course via your respective League or Association.’’
The six leagues had last week defied an AFL edict to push back their seasons to June, naming their starting date as May 2.
They said they would meet on Tuesday, April 14 to “review and/or confirm this commencement date, subject to the status of the COVID-19 pandemic’’.
“This decision has been reached with consideration to consistency, league and club sustainability and the health and welfare of all stakeholders.
“We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding with this matter.’’
The announcement came after the leagues met AFL and AFL Victoria staff at Windy Hill at 1.30pm last Tuesday, with the meeting stretching well into the afternoon.
Yarra Junior Football League president Jeff Hooper, in a statement released that night, said his league was not invited to the meeting.
Mr Hopper said the league, which has 508 teams and 11,000 players, had not been consulted about season start dates.
“The communication by both the leagues and the AFL has not been discussed with nor agreed by the YJFL executive and board,” Mr Hooper said in the statement.
“We will continue to meet with YJFL clubs to discuss and review our plans for the season, with our next board meeting being (on Tuesday night), and our club presidents meeting (Wednesday) night.”
Mr Hooper said no decision had yet been made on when the YJFL season would start.
“When we as a league and community are satisfied that it is safe to play games in whatever form, and at whatever time and venue that is suitable, we will announce that to our community,” he said.
“We remain keen to meet with the AFL and AFL Victoria, as well as the State Government authorities to discuss and co-ordinate our response to these very difficult circumstances.”
On Monday night the AFL suspended all state leagues and the under-18 NAB League competition until May 31, which for the VFL meant stripping the first nine rounds from the fixture.
In line with the joint statement by the leagues, the VAFA said on Tuesday night that its season had been postponed until May 2.
“The VAFA Board considered all options in response to the COVID-19 outbreak and made the decision with the health and safety of all participants the fundamental priority,’’ it said.
“The decision aligns with all senior metropolitan community competitions following a meeting today.
“The football operations department, in conjunction with the football, growth and integrity subcommittee, will revise fixtures accordingly but acknowledge the situation is fluid and any decision made may change.’’
It said the 2020 representative football program had been cancelled to allow the June and July bye rounds to be used for make-up matches.
All clubs have been asked to stop training and not play practice matches.
One of Victoria’s strongest football leagues, Mornington Peninsula Nepean, said it was pushing back the start of its season by two months.
The AFL South East Commission said all its football and netball competitions and programs would kick off after June 1.
It will review its decision around May 11.
The delay relates to the MPNFL Division 1 and Division 2 leagues, the Frankston and District and Mornington Peninsula juniors leagues, the South East Juniors, the Southern Eastern Women’s league, and the AFL South East and Southern Umpires Association.
“Key operational staff are currently working through different scenarios on how the season may look – with the wellbeing of all participants and the integrity of the competition at the forefront of mind,’’ the league said.
AFL Outer East regional general manager Aaron Bailey told Leader: “The key priority in the short-term is the well being of our community and we’re telling our community to focus on family and their lives.
“In terms of football we are steadfast that we will run as much of season 2020 that we can.
“We are open to extending the season, we think it’s important for a community to still play footy and netball, but this is an evolving landscape.”
The Riddell District Football and Netball League, in a statement, said the league was a great asset to the community but was “facing a serious challenge at the moment”.
”But if we stand strong, and work together rationally and sensibly, we will come out the other end united,” the league said.
AFL Central Victoria — which governs the BFNL, Heathcote District, Loddon Valley, North Central and Bendigo Juniors — said clubs were being advised to stop all football and netball activities, including training and practice matches, until April 1.
“Fixtures will be amended to complete the season resulting in later grand finals. Leagues will continue to explore fixturing alternatives however acknowledge the situation is fluid and any decision may change,” AFL Central Victoria said.
Ahead of today’s meeting with the AFL the Eastern league said it was suspending club training, practice matches and league events until further notice.
“The safety and welfare of our players, volunteers, officials and their families are our number one priority,’’ it said a press statement.
More to come
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