Pandemic raises prospect of a clash of local footy and cricket seasons
Football in the winter, cricket in the summer. It’s been a longstanding rule in Victoria but that could change this year once local footy starts and pressure to use grounds increases. So who has priority? HAVE YOUR SAY
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For many years the Victorian sporting seasons have been equally divided.
Football from April to September, cricket from October to March.
And cricket has always closely guarded its six months of the year.
In fact, the Cricket Victoria website carries a copy of a document signed last year by Victorian Sports Minister Martin Pakula setting out the dates, the football season running from April 1 to September 30 and the cricket season from October 1 to March 31.
It was also signed by Cricket Victoria CEO Andrew Ingleton and the head of AFL Victoria Ricky Bell.
But given the coronavirus pandemic, football officials will soon sound out their cricket counterparts about the possibility of shifting dates.
While it remains unclear if local football will make a start this year — everything is off until at least June — leagues are clinging to the hope they will play at least half a season.
They have been told AFL Victoria will approach Cricket Victoria about football going into October if necessary.
That would mean council grounds staying in the hands of football clubs for longer, pushing back the cricket season.
Cricket traditionally loses matches to wet weather in October.
Southern Football Netball League chief executive Lee Hartman said: “We are keen to have a season, so if we can work in with cricket to make it happen, we would be all for that and so would our clubs.
“At the end of the day we understand the current limitations around that. But I understand the state bodies and the federal bodies are talking, and we’ll await the outcome.’’
Hartman said there had been a “bit of chatter in the past few years, and it’s gained a bit of momentum, that the seasons have changed and the first month of cricket is often washed out and come April it’s still fairly hot’’.
“That’s something that may have to be considered down the track, the football window being from May to October rather than April to September,’’ he said.
“But obviously with the AFL starting in the third week of March everyone’s chomping at the bit to get out there. It’s an interesting one but I know cricket does lose a lot of games in that early October period’’.
One leading community cricket official said this afternoon he would not be surprised if the 2020-21 cricket season started on the first Saturday in November.
He said AFL Victoria would be “desperate’’ to have abbreviated seasons rather than no football and would need at least two weeks of October for finals.
The Pakula determination was made “in view of the differences which have arisen between cricket authorities and Australian Rules football authorities in regard to the respective lengths of the cricket and football seasons and arrangements for preseason ground preparation and practice for each sport on playing grounds in Victoria which are Crown lands’’.
A Cricket Victoria spokesman said this afternoon that CV and AFL Victoria were expected to meet in coming weeks “but in terms of specifics of what each party wants, some way off knowing that yet’’.
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Meanwhile Port Phillip Council has announced a $2.5 million emergency relief package that includes support for sports clubs that have paid rent, licence fees or levies for the period of April 1 to June 30.
They are eligible for discounts and “council will notify relevant sports clubs and refund payments accordingly’’.
“Future financial support beyond this date will be considered through the council budgeting process,’’ the council said.
“We traditionally invoice our winter season sports clubs (AFL football, soccer, etc.) in May, so these clubs have not been charged for the upcoming season. We will continue to assess the situation as more information becomes available.
“We are currently investigating ways to further support our sports clubs with various development programs and initiatives, including online forums and workshops about important topics such as club sponsorship. We are also working on plans to support our clubs post-COVID-19.
“Our sports clubs are an important part of our community and we are committed to supporting them through this time and we look forward to seeing them play again (hopefully) soon.’’
Bayside Council has withdrawn seasonal tenancy agreements with winter clubs that were due to start on April 1.
No charges have been issued.
“This decision will be frequently reviewed and new agreements will be entered into with the relevant seasonal clubs once State and Federal Government restrictions are lifted,’’ the council said.
“Bayside City Council is committed to doing what is within our power to provide timely, and much needed support to the Bayside community during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.’’