Junior footy carnival kicks off in the southern bayside
Footy is about to reboot in Melbourne in a big way, with a four-week junior carnival involving more than 2500 players across five venues. And it all kicks off on Sunday.
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Footy is about to reboot in Melbourne.
The South Metro Junior Football League was one of the last metropolitan competitions to call off the 2020 season, but on Sunday it will kick off a four-week series involving more than 2500 players.
The “Football 4 Fun’’ program is being offered free to clubs and players and will run until December 6.
Monash University is sponsoring it, and 229 teams will take the field in age divisions of Under 8 to Under 18.
Five venues, including 12 fields, are being used.
Brighton Beach, Caulfield Bears, Cheltenham, Dingley, East Brighton Vampires, East Malvern, East Sandringham, Hampton Rovers, Highett, Mordialloc-Braeside, Ormond, Port Melbourne Colts, Prahran, South Melbourne Districts, St Bedes/Mentone Tigers, St Kilda City and Waverley Park Hawks are locked in to the fixtures.
The SMJFL decided in July that a 2020 season would not be possible in its traditional format due to the second lockdown.
It pledged to work on other offerings and bring football back by the end of the year.
During lockdown the league developed the Football 4 Fun program, ready for when it was deemed safe to return to community sport under the Victorian Government restrictions and guidelines.
“2020 has presented a number of challenges that have impacted grassroots sport across the country,’’ SMJFL CEO Sarah Loh said.
“We’ve ridden the wave with the rest of Victoria and sadly had to delay the start of season in April and then cancel the league’s 2020 football season at the 11th hour in July.
“The South Metro Junior Football League is at the heartland of football and participation, and we are beyond thrilled to bring football back to our community thanks to the generosity of our partners, affiliates and local governments and in particular to our long-term major sponsor, Monash University and major community partner, the St Kilda Football Club.
“Kids have done it the hardest in 2020, with lockdown enforced during a crucial period in their physical, mental and social development.
“Earlier this year, it was so exciting to see our kids return with their friends. After a second devastating lockdown, we’re thrilled that our kids can get back to playing our great game.”
SMJFL ambassador and St Kilda AFLW coach Peta Searle said it would be fantastic to see football return to the region.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has had an incredible impact on sport across the country, including the cancellation of the VFLW season, which I saw having a significant impact on our players,” Searle said.
“It’s important that we understand the importance of sport from a mental health perspective. It’s so exciting to see the SMJFL stay strong in these times and create the Football 4 Fun program for its members.’’
New AFL Victoria Brad Scott and VicHealth have also backed the series.
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