Local footy waits on advice before making decision on season

AFL Barwon is waiting on advice from AFL Victoria, with the fate of the region’s local football and netball competitions likely to be revealed today.

Seven local leagues will meet with AFL Victoria this morning to discuss the ramifications of coronavirus on grassroots football.

Tens of thousands of people will be impacted by the outcome of the discussion, which will be attended by the respective CEOs of the Eastern Football League (EFL), Northern Football League (NFL), Western Region Football League (WFL), Southern Football League (SFL), Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA), Southern Metro Junior Football League (SMJFL) and Yarra Junior

League (YJFL).

AFL Barwon officials were yesterday in regular talks with AFL Victoria officials as a decision looms on the fate of the local footy and netball season, which is due to start in the Geelong region on April 4.

A host of Geelong-region clubs have taken measures in the past 48 hours to call off

Football training and practice matches, while outlining strict hygiene protocols for players.

AFL Barwon will follow the lead of AFL Victoria. Planned media days to promote the upcoming local seasons, scheduled for March 23 and 30, were yesterday postponed until a later date.

The Border Mail newspaper yesterday reported that the start of the Ovens and Murray league was likely to be postponed until early May.

The league’s chairman, David Sinclair, told clubs the first four rounds of the season were at risk, it was reported.

The Eastern Football League yesterday made the decision to immediately suspend all training, practice matches and events “across the entire competition until further notice”.

It is understood the coalition of seven Melbournebased leagues will seek to present a united front on a variety of pressing concerns.

The CEOs will seek to understand the AFL’s position on player welfare, volunteers, umpires, staff and fixtures at a local level.