Three of Victoria’s biggest country football leagues cancel 2020 seasons
Local footy in Victoria has been dealt a massive blow with three of the state’s biggest country leagues jointly abandoning their seasons this year.
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Three of Victoria’s biggest country football leagues have cancelled their 2020 seasons.
In a joint statement, the Goulburn Valley, Murray and Ovens and Murray football leagues announced they would not play this year.
The decision comes on the day AFL Victoria announced its return to play protocols.
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The Tallangatta District Football League decided to abandon its season on Wednesday night.
The three leagues had been working together during the COVID-19 shutdown.
Financial implications for clubs and leagues and the burden on volunteers were the major factors in calling the season off.
The GVFL had set a return to play date of July 18 earlier this month but Victoria’s spike in COVID-19 cases and the state government’s tightened restrictions forced a backflip.
Goulburn Valley board chairman David Roff said the leagues had done everything possible to play in 2020 but the hurdles had become to big.
“The decision of the GVL board and all twelve of its member clubs was unanimous in that a premiership season for all grades in 2020 will not proceed,” he said.
“This is not a decision we have made lightly.
“We recognise the potential health implications within our communities, the financial burden of a shortened season, the additional requirements of volunteers, the number of people allowed within a hospitality setting, inability to manage crowds and not wanting to play without crowds.
“We waited as long as we possibly could but ultimately had to make the call in order to provide clarity to everyone at all of our clubs.”
"The decision of the @gotafe GVL Board & all 12 of its member clubs was unanimous. A Premiership season for all grades in 2020 will not proceed. We remain committed to running a modified junior competition."
— Goulburn Valley League (@GVLeague) June 25, 2020
Click to read the official statement: https://t.co/8wYrFZI5Fv pic.twitter.com/OS6JJBkS9d
Ovens and Murray general manager Sean Barrett said there had been a lengthy consultation process with clubs before making the call.
“This decision has not been made lightly, we’ve maintained a glass half full approach throughout this process and we’re bitterly disappointed in making this announcement,” he said.
“Following the latest Victorian government and state health announcement, it’s very difficult to see how we could pursue relevant senior competitions in a safe and responsible manner that wouldn’t be detrimental to our clubs.
“Our decisions need to be focused on what is best in both the short term and the long term for our competition, clubs and community.”
Differences in policy between the NSW and Victorian governments also made planning a season across the border difficult to navigate.
See below statement regarding the 2020 @SSA_Albury @omfnl season.
— Ovens & Murray FNL (@omfnl) June 25, 2020
Bring on 2021!#passionliveshere pic.twitter.com/HBvbmB04MQ
Murray general manager Dale Norman said clubs’ sustainability to critical and thanked his fellow leagues for working together.
“Time was against us in the end,” he said.
“To play a compromised competition and with no clear direction for crowds the only viable decision to ensure the long-term sustainability of the clubs was to cancel the season.
“Revenue streams for clubs have been impacted due to the inability to generate sponsorship and membership sales.
“Clubs also expressed concerns about the additional burden on volunteers to comply with COVID-19 protocols and procedures ... and the ongoing confusion over cross border protocols.
“The joint meetings were a healthy exercise and something the leagues will continue to do.
Although the structure of the competitions is slightly different, we all have similar issues.”
Murray FNL Season Update pic.twitter.com/rGArBMwvXg
— Murray FL (@MurrayFL) June 25, 2020