WRFL 2020: CEO Matthew Duck addresses the big questions
Western Region Football League boss Matthew Duck says most of his clubs favour a return to the field in 2020, but they are keen to gain clarity in some key areas before pushing ahead.
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Western Region Football League boss Matthew Duck says clarity around crowds and the workload for volunteers will determine if his clubs give their tick of approval to a 2020 season.
Duck said the “vast majority” of clubs favoured returning to the field this year if it safe to proceed.
But the uncertainty surrounding crowds at matches amid the coronavirus crisis and the extra strain placed on volunteers as a result of the strict health protocols that need to be enforced have some believing scrapping the season is the right call.
Hoppers Crossing coach and former AFL defender Steve Kretiuk said a line to be ruled through the campaign for the health of the competition.
Clubs rely heavily on crowds for game day revenue to pay the bills.
It is understood AFL Victoria is not keen for clubs to take the field in front of no spectators.
Training protocols allowing two groups of 10 on one oval to take part in non-contact sessions came into effect this week, while clubs must appoint a COVID safety officer.
“Ultimately, you want to make sure your clubs come back next year not in a worse position than they’re currently in,” Duck said.
“We engage in a lot of feedback with our clubs and the vast majority are saying their longer-term interests are best served by playing, if we can play.
“But certainly we appreciate there are individual clubs and individual circumstances where they look at it and say, ‘our long-term viability might not necessarily be served by the same things the club up the road might be.’
“It is a little bit horses for courses. We put a lot of stock in where the weight of sentiment or weight of numbers are headed.
“Most of our clubs remain hopeful of a season, but they want to understand more before they get really definitive with that position, particularly around the crowd space.”
Football and cricket sources have told Leader that AFL Victoria has asked the government to help get football up and running by allowing up to 500 spectators to watch games.
The AFL said no approach for an exemption had been made.
Duck said the issue of attendances had “differing levels of importance’’ for clubs, “but for the majority it’s an important piece’’.
“Any certainty we can get on that in the next little period is obviously going to be pretty helpful with leagues making decisions,’’ he said.
Duck said most clubs would not get more than 500 people to a regular-season match, apart from “a real local blockbuster”.
“A number like that would more than accommodate most typical crowds,’’ he said.
Duck added: “For the most part, our clubs remain hopeful of a season, but they are also keen to understand that attendance piece.
“That’s the recurring message that is being provided to us loud and clear.
“They want to understand any attendance restrictions and, if not more importantly, who the onus of responsibility to manage that sits with.
“Clearly in the public reserves where we play our footy, if a club is given the role of managing attendance numbers, it’s going to be difficult, if not nigh on impossible.’’
It is possible clubs will have their affiliation fees cut to ease the financial burden.
Duck said the WRFL had “slashed and burned every potential cost we could” in recent weeks and were awaiting advice on player insurance from AFL Victoria.
Next month will be a key period for local football leagues and clubs as the State Government decides on the prospect of further easing restrictions.
It is understood a decision on the season could come as early as June 5.
Duck said there was a “growing sense June is the month where we want to make a call”.
“I’d say it’s cautious optimism (a season will go ahead) because we’re mindful that government allowing community sport to resume is an important step but it’s only one step. It’s not the only part that’s critical to our clubs,” he said.
“It’s the capacity to manage that and the crowd piece.
“I can see the potential opportunity to resume sport … but it’s understanding what it means for local clubs.”
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