Crowd numbers key for successful return of local footy
Anger continues to build at local footy level over a lack of action on crowds, with one club coach taking aim at Daniel Andrews for allowing “packed shopping centres but no crowds at local sport”. And leagues have a figure in mind when it comes to a crowd cap.
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Local footy training for up to 20 players can start next week.
The season has been extended until mid-October after a deal struck between AFL Victoria and Cricket Victoria.
Now local football leagues are looking for direction around crowds as they nose closer to starting their seasons.
The State Government on Sunday announced a further easing of restrictions starting on June 21, but made no mention of community sport.
That prompted one local football coach to challenge Premier Dan Andrews on social media.
“Community sports and crowds need urgent action here, you have packed shopping centres but no crowds at local sport destroying community spirit where’s leadership here,’’ Patrick Irwin, the coach of Merbein in the Sunraysia league, tweeted to Andrews on Sunday.
It’s ridiculous we need ability to have crowds at games for country football the social and mental health impact has been lost. Community sport is a key driver in local economies and social health. Crowds outside surely less risk than 300 or 500 at shopping centres
— Patrick irwin (@Patrickirwin10) May 23, 2020
Football and cricket sources have told Leader that AFL Victoria has asked the government to help get football up and running by allowing up to 500 spectators to watch games.
The AFL said no approach for an exemption had been made.
One suburban league official said the request was on a “wishlist’’ to get local football on the ground earlier than the dates being touted, mid-July and early August.
“That’s us going to the government. That’s not the government agreeing to it,’’ the official said.
“It is 500 people. That would well and truly cover it off.’’
Numerous clubs have said that without crowds there can be no local football this year because they rely on game takings to pay the bills.
Caulfield president Darren Stait said clubs would be “rooted’’.
Victorian Shadow Minister for Sport and Croydon MP David Hodgett has called on the government to get moving on community sport.
“Local sporting clubs deserve certainty and a clear path forward for resuming training, matches and answers on who can and can’t attend,’’ Hodgett said.
“We know that the pandemic will impact sport, but we need to know — will crowds be allowed to attend if appropriately socially distanced, or banned altogether?
“Daniel Andrews has been holding back unwinding restrictions in Victoria but we need to press ahead and get back to normal operations as soon as possible.
“Community sport is an integral part of community life in Victoria and local clubs deserve to know where they stand.”
While AFL Outer East region manager Aaron Bailey hadn’t heard of any lobbying of the State Government, he said any exemption would be “the golden ticket’’.
“We get that, we can get back,’’ he declared.
“That’s a number they need to get and quickly because that’s going to stop people pulling the pin.”
On June 2, the AFL Outer East will give its clubs a road map back to competitive football before small group training resumes that night.
WRFL chief executive Matthew Duck said the issue of attendances had “differing levels of importance’’ for clubs, “but for the majority it’s an important piece’’.
“Any certainty we can get on that in the next little period is obviously going to be pretty helpful with leagues making decisions,’’ he said.
Duck said most clubs would not get more than 500 people to a regular-season match, apart from “a real local blockbuster”.
“A number like that would more than accommodate most typical crowds,’’ he said.
Duck added: “For the most part, our clubs remain hopeful of a season, but they are also keen to understand that attendance piece.
“That’s the recurring message that is being provided to us loud and clear.
“They want to understand any attendance restrictions and, if not more importantly, who the onus of responsibility to manage that sits with.
“Clearly in the public reserves where we play our footy, if a club is given the role of managing attendance numbers, it’s going to be difficult, if not nigh on impossible.’’
Southern league CEO Lee Hartman said crowds ranged from 100 to 300 people across all four divisions at SFNL home-and-away matches and any request for 500 spectators would comfortably accommodate it.
Hartman said he had no doubts there would be a “window’’ to play this season.
He said August was nine weeks away and there was “a long time for water to go under the bridge’’.
Keilor president Craig Hill said: “Whether there are crowds or no crowds, we still believe a season can get up under the right circumstances.
“If there are appropriate restrictions eased, then it’s certainly going to assist allowing people to come and watch the football.
“Whether you’ve got 200, 500 or 1000 there, it’s going to assist in generating revenue.
“We’ll put in appropriate measures to support whatever rules we have to work to.
“We’re moving forward under the assumption we will have a nine-round season.”
He estimated the club attracted “anywhere between 500 and 2000 people” to regular-season games.
An EDFL spokesman said: “We would think 500 is a reasonable target for home-and-away football.”
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