Country league players still don’t need to be vaccinated
State government and AFL Victoria confirm no vaccination requirement remains for community sport as footy season preparations step up.
Unvaccinated country footballers and netballers won’t be barred from playing this season even though the Victorian Government and AFL Victoria prefer they be jabbed.
Clubs have resumed pre-season training in the hope they will complete a season for the first time since 2019 after two years ruined by Covid.
Following a recent review, the state government is still giving unvaccinated community sport participants the green light to play despite indoor venues at grounds where matchday social functions are held require attendees to have the jab.
AFL Victoria has adopted the government ruling even though elite level and junior pathway program players must be vaccinated.
Carlton’s Liam Jones was the first player to quit the AFL because he refused to be vaccinated and last month signed to play for Queensland club Palm Beach Currumbin in 2022.
Country league officials have been awaiting updated advice on vaccination mandates.
“The season is still a couple of months away and the situation remains a moving feast,”
Bendigo Football-Netball League chairwoman Carol McKinstry said.
“What they decide now might be totally inappropriate in a couple of months, but we are concerned about any additional workload on volunteers.
“Clubs are at risk of having enough volunteers to do the jobs required now without putting additional difficult tasks onto them.”
AFL Victoria spokesman Nick Hulet said no change to community level requirements was needed presently.
“The health and safety of our community is always the top priority and the AFL strongly encourages members of the community to get vaccinated if they can,” he said.
A Department of Health and Human Services spokesman said: “Community sport provides important physical, mental health and social wellbeing benefits for participants of all ages.
“Across a season, some games are played in public outdoor areas, such as a park, where no vaccination requirements would apply to anyone.
“While there’s no requirement to be vaccinated to participate in community sport, we encourage all participants and spectators to be vaccinated.”
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