AFL Tasmania will tighten Covid-19 controls at TSL games for round two

AFL Tasmania will enforce more changes to social restrictions at State League games this weekend. Here’s what will happen.

L-R Elise Barwick, Brie Barwick, Hollie Barwick, who are Glenorchy Football Club TSLW players, at the game between Glenorchy and Launceston. Tasmanian State League football returned for the first time in 2020. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

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AFL Tasmania will impose “tweaks to plans and approaches” to Covid-19 protocols for round two of the TSL this weekend.

The opening round was a sell-out, forcing some to watch from over the fence, and all three games were a success in terms of the Return to Play Protocols put in place by AFL Tasmania.

Lauderdale reached its limit of 500 people in the venue well before the opening bounce of its clash with Clarence at Lauderdale Oval, KGV hit 500 10 minutes before the opening bounce of the Glenorchy-Launceston contest, and North Launceston’ game against North Hobart at UTas Stadium was a sell-out last week.

Football. Tasmanian State League. Glenorchy V Launceston. Spectators in the grand stand socially distanced using tape to block off seating. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Clubs had people in place to limit the people entering venues in line with State Government stage three coronavirus restrictions, cleaning and wipe-down teams were in place, and monitors were on the doors of player changerooms to prevent non-officials from entering and to ensure members of the public did not enter the arena during quarter-time breaks.

AFL Tasmania CEO Trish Squires, who was at the Lauderdale-Clarence game, was delighted with the weekend.

“It is fantastic to have footy back,” she said.

“It was a surreal feeling walking into the ground but it was so great to see people back out supporting their local clubs.

“It was a little bit different for everyone with the new protocols, but I think a lot of the protocols will very quickly become second nature for people.”

For round two, Lauderdale will have separate parking for players, and all grounds will have increased protocol signage.

“I was at Lauderdale Oval and they did a great job,” Squires said.

“They had plans and processes in place to ensure everyone followed the protocols.

“We have the first week out of the way now and everyone has learned a lot from that first round back.

“There will be some tweaks to plans and approaches but all in all I think clubs have worked hard to educate people on the protocols and have the necessary measures in place.”