Soccer return close

BE PATIENT: Training a reward for the diligence

SOCCER clubs across Geelong are hopeful of knowing when they can return to training in coming days as they await confirmation from Football Victoria.

The state body for soccer has approached Sport and Recreation Victoria for specifics on guidelines for training after the State Government announced on Monday people could gather outside in groups of up to 10 from today as part of a reduction in coronavirus restrictions.

Clubs have been told to wait before starting any training until protocols are provided by Football Victoria.

Geelong Region Football Committee chairman Mike McKinstry said players and clubs needed to remain patient until the news came through.

“We want to make sure everyone works within the rules, having come all this way,” McKinstry said. “Clearly everybody is keen to get back to training.

“If it was going to be weeks and weeks I would understand people would get frustrated but if we do get advice from SRV pretty quickly then I think it’s best that we protect what we’ve done here in Victoria, and all the good work everybody has done with COVID, and hold fire for the next few days and hopefully it becomes a bit clearer.”

Matches at all levels of the game are on hold until at least May 31.

Football Victoria will release guidelines for the return to training, which will filter down to clubs to be enacted before any balls can be kicked.

With the new guidelines, training squads would have to be split into groups of 10 or less.

“While we are still some way off allowing full training and matches, the fact that we can have modified training sessions will be welcomed by the entire football community,” Football Victoria chief executive Peter Filopolous said.

“The patience our clubs and their participants have shown — not to mention their vigilance in practising social distancing requirements — has been nothing short of outstanding. We encourage our community to remain vigilant to enable further easing of restrictions in June.”