Local footy 2020: EDFL boss Ian Kyte remains hopeful of season
Essendon District Football League chief executive Ian Kyte explains why his competition remains hopeful of a truncated season in 2020.
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A defiant Essendon District Football League boss Ian Kyte has stopped short of ruling a line through the season after the State Government delayed the easing of coronavirus restrictions.
Kyte said the weekend’s news had “created a lot of questions” but added it was premature to declare it was game over for local competitions.
There has been no change to AFL Victoria’s training protocols, which allow two groups of 20 players to take part in non-contact sessions on one oval.
“I don’t think it’s a setback,” Kyte said.
“I just think we have to be more patient.
“Obviously there will be meetings this week to consider where we’re at.
“Junior football hasn’t changed and neither has senior football really.”
The league has circled July 25 as a potential start date for its women’s competitions and Division 1 and 2 men’s grades.
Premier Division clubs would start a week later on August 1.
Kyte did not rule out delaying a decision on the season and said it would be discussed at tonight’s board meeting.
Division 1 outfit Roxburgh Park has withdrawn from the senior ranks, citing the welfare of its players and volunteers and concerns over financial sustainability. There is speculation more will follow.
“What it’s been all along is, the board and administration will decide if we pursue a season,” Kyte said.
“No club will be forced to participate. That hasn’t been any different from the beginning. We’ll try to run a competition if it’s safe, can fit in with the regulations, financially if it’s going to be viable and sustainable.
“If the clubs feel like it’s not, they might do what Roxburgh Park has done. There’s another three or four clubs considering their positions at the moment. That’s fine and we’ll help them work through that where necessary.
“We’ll see what we come up with when the final decision is made.”
Frustratingly for leagues, clubs and players, the government and AFL Victoria have released no information about crowds.
Kyte said the EDFL was hoping a limit of about 500 people would be ticked off.
“There wouldn’t be too many games that would go over that in normal circumstances,” he said.
“If there’s no crowds at AFL footy, there’s that possibility more people will go and look at local footy because they’re starved and they just want to watch football.
“We need to find out how that’s regulated, who checks on it and who’s responsible.”
The government restrictions will remain in place until at least July 12, leaving local leagues in a race against time to bounce the ball.
The state of emergency has been extended until July 19, while Hume, Moreland and Brimbank – all municipalities that house EDFL clubs – have been named as areas Victorians should not visit.
“I’ve spoken to some clubs already and they just wanted confirmation on a few things,” Kyte said.
“There doesn’t seem to be a lot of angst going on at the moment.
“We said we’d meet and make decisions the week of the 22nd of June. Not on the 22nd of June.”
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