Tasmania’s junior football players are rejoicing at the return of games next month

Junior football leagues have been given the green light to stage their competitions this year, but with one major provision.

Grand final captains from the STJFL ahead of weekends grand final matches (front) LR Josh Curtis, 14, Max Geappen, 13 and Daniel Mathews, 14 and (rear) LR Charlie Hastie, 13, Flynn Marshall, 14, Keegan Ryan, 15, Fletcher Hooker, 15, Blake Marriott, 15, Riley Ferguson, 14 and Nick Bealey, 16. 2019 Picture: Zak Simmonds

TASMANIA’S junior football competitions can start their leagues next month and run them all the way up to the AFL grand final in October.

AFL Tasmania announced its plan for junior football competitions to kick off from July 18, subject to State Government approval.

The Southern Tasmania Junior Football League, Northern Tasmania Junior Football Association and North West Football League Juniors can tell their kids to dust off the footy boots.

“We are really confident that we will be playing junior football in 2020,” said AFL Tasmania CEO Trisha Squires.

“This is a great result and really important for the thousands of young boys and girls that play footy across our state. It is subject to Government advice but we are planning for a season to take place from mid-July.”

Junior Football - Cripps STJFL 2019 Grand Finals held at North Hobart Oval. Under14 Boys Clarence Vs North Hobart Demons. (L-R) Charlie Banks getting control of the ball. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

STJFL President Jim Horne said excitement would build quickly in the south.

“Teams have been returning to training and the feedback is that players and coaches are loving being back out there,” he said.

“It is really exciting _ it won’t be long until boys and girls are back playing our great game again on ovals right across Hobart.”

NTJFA President Paul House said clubs his clubs were preparing for a season.

“It’s fantastic the kids in Northern Tasmania will be able to play the game they love, this year. We will be playing a football season, unless of course State Government restrictions don’t allow us to.”