Ballarat Football League cancels 2020 season amid COVID-19 crisis
Another major country football league has pulled the pin on its senior footy season, the Ballarat Football League citing Victoria’s growing COVID-19 crisis as a major factor in its decision.
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The Ballarat Football League has joined a growing list of major country competitions after cancelling its 2020 season.
The decision comes two days after Darley withdrew due to concerns over the burden on volunteers and crowd numbers.
The league’s board officially called off the season on Thursday night, saying “the current level of restrictions would not allow for a safe or financially sustainable season”.
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In the past week more than 10 leagues have pulled the pin on 2020, including major country competitions Ovens and Murray and Goulburn Valley and metropolitan leagues Western Region and Essendon District.
Only a handful of leagues are still holding out hope, including the neighbouring Bendigo league, AFL Outer East, Mornington Peninsula Nepean, Southern and Victorian Amateur Football Association.
In a statement, the Ballarat league said it was still hopeful of a junior season going ahead.
“The health and safety of players, supporters, members and volunteers is of the highest priority to the organisation and it supports the decision by the state government to contain the spread of COVID-19,” the statement read.
“Today’s decision will help support the long-term viability of the clubs and the league and the Ballarat FNL will continue to work with all stakeholders in the coming months to ensure a strong return to for the 2021 season.
“There remains support from clubs for a junior football and netball competition in 2020 which is currently being considered by the league board based on the input from clubs’ junior co-ordinators.
“A separate announcement on the 2020 junior football and netball competitions will be made shortly.”
While there had been support for a season to go ahead, Darley’s decision may have forced the league’s hand.
In May BFNL chairman Adrian Bettio said if one club abandoned the season, the league would have no option.
“Through discussions that we’ve had we’ve made it quite clear to all club presidents that the situation is that it’s all clubs in or all clubs out,” he told the Ballarat Courier.
“All clubs have to opt in otherwise it’s off. It’s that simple.”