SFL president Russell Young will meet clubs to map out 2020 start as crowd attendance remains vital

The outcome of AFL Tasmania’s request to Public Health to allow up to 500 people at community football matches could determine whether an SFL season gets off the ground in 2020. LATEST >>

Lindisfarne coach Daniel Willing (left) celebrates with captain Michael Cassidy after winning last year’s SFL grand final. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

THE SFL will meet with its nine clubs next week to advance its 2020 plans, but league president Russell Young remains steadfast on comments that no crowds means no competition.

As the TSL prepares for a July 18 start — pending government restrictions being lifted — the SFL is aiming for a nine-round roster and four week finals series to commence a week later.

AFL Tasmania has sent a request to Public Health to increase the 100 person limit per venue to 500 for the State League, and Young said the ability to allow paying patrons into grounds will be the only way the SFL can kick off.

READ MORE: CLUBS UPBEAT ABOUT TSL RESTART

Young, who told the Mercury last month there would be no regional league in the south without crowds, said the competition’s clubs are determined to play this year but he won’t risk financial strain on them to do so.

SFL president Russell Young (left), pictured with Sally Donnelly, is hopeful limits of crowd access to venues will be lifted to allow the league to begin. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“We are having a meeting next week and all clubs will be asked to come along and be ready to make decisions,” Young said.

“We will put some information out to clubs over the next couple of days and then when we have our next board meeting towards the end of next week, the clubs will make decisions whether we go forward.

“There are other costs as well as player payments and if there is no crowds, I just can’t see how we would get off the ground.

Lindisfarne’s Troy Cunliffe Lindisfarne competes with Brody Rundell of Huonville in last year’s SFL grand final. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“We don’t get any financial support from any one, whatever money we have got is what we have raised ourselves or what the clubs have raised.

“We still have five weeks until our roster season would start so you would hope there would be more information coming through between now and then, and I would be hopeful there would be crowds of around 100 paying customers so to speak by that time.

“Our decision on Wednesday I imagine would be based on crowds being allowed.”

As part of the agreement to salvage the State League season no players will receive match payments, but Young stopped short of declaring the same decision would be made in the SFL.

“That’s something that is being discussed, and we are working on a model at the moment and that will be part of our decision making next week.”