Footy training ready to return

CLUBS are bracing for a “new normal” in junior football this year as a return to training nears.

Like seniors, junior footy training can begin again on Monday.

All football clubs remain in the dark about what activity can look like as AFL Barwon awaits further guidelines from AFL Victoria, which are expected to be released this week.

Finding space will become a challenge, with most ovals normally overrun with players before coronavirus. Initial guidelines from AFL Victoria state that a maximum of two groups of 10 players can train at once on a single ground.

Geelong West Giants junior co-ordinator Michelle Abbott said her club would get creative to allow children to see their friends and kick a footy, with ideas such as mixing groups of 10 across age groups or only training once a week.

“One thing that needs to be highlighted is our kids and what they have gone through in the last few weeks with the lack of connection and not being with their teammates and being able to participate,” she said.

“We see that as a real focus at our club around that community connection and mental health benefit of exercising.

“From a club perspective we feel that for the juniors section it’s really important that they get back into some sort of new normal.

“Obviously we would love to see footy season start up again, but in the meantime if there is that ability to train in small groups we will do that.”

Clubs have begun to prepare plans for training that include entry and exit points and supplies like sanitiser and gloves.

St Joseph’s junior football director Andrew Kelly said those attending training would be asked to fill in a health declaration.

“We’re just keen to get the kids training,” he said. “What the season might look like is secondary at this point of time, we are just really keen to keep everybody active and moving.

“I think it’s critical for the juniors to be back training or playing as soon as they can just from the perspective that their training has been disrupted this year.”

All junior matches have been postponed until at least May 31.