AFL scraps NAB League season for boys and girls
The AFL says it became impossible to stage the elite Under 18 competition through COVID-19 restrictions. But it will go ahead with the AFLW and national drafts.
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THE NAB League season has become another COVID-19 casualty.
The AFL today wrote to all NAB League regions, players and their parents advising them the Under 18s boys and girls competitions wouldn’t be going ahead.
With the Victorian Government declaring a state of disaster and with stage four restrictions in place for Melbourne for six weeks, the AFL had to put a line through the NAB League for 2020.
No community football training or competition can be held in Victoria until Sunday, September 13.
But the AFLW and AFL drafts will still be held.
AFL head of talent pathways and state league competitions Tristan Salter said the decision was made after the State Government announcement.
“All levels of the game across Victoria have been impacted by the health pandemic this year and under the new restrictions, any form of training and competition for both metropolitan and regional players and clubs is prohibited,” Salter said.
“We acknowledge this is extremely disappointing news for the players, coaches, officials, volunteers and fans of the NAB League Competition and we commend every NAB League region that has worked tirelessly to find a way through.
“Every step of the way, our focus has been on the safety of players, coaches, volunteers, officials and our communities. Following the updated restrictions announced by Victorian State Government, it provided too great a challenge for all involved.”
The AFL said it would continue to support NAB League players for the rest of the year and would set up a “revised talent pathways model’’ to ensure opportunities in 2021 for players who have been impacted by the disruption.
The 12 NAB League Girls clubs completed up to three matches in March with Oakleigh Chargers, Greater Western Victoria Rebels and Northern Knights all undefeated.
Given only three games have been played, no premiership will be awarded.
The AFL is discussing with all NAB League Girls regions on how to best support players ahead of the AFLW draft in October.
A NAB League Girls team of the year will be announced in the coming days.
The AFL is continuing to explore a return-to-train and return-to-play model for the Vic Country and Vic Metro boys squads.
Both squads will not start training or matches unless it is safe to do so.
“Throughout this pandemic the NAB League community has shown great resilience and perseverance and we admire and appreciate the continued positivity during a difficult year for our community. I am not alone in appreciating the challenges players, staff and their families are facing,” Salter said.
“We maintain our commitment to all players that we will continue to explore arrangements to assist them with their talent profile ahead of the NAB AFLW and NAB AFL Drafts later this year.”