JUNIORS GET GREEN LIGHT
THE green light has been given for junior football and netball to start this month in an “encouraging” sign for community sport.
But AFL Barwon will wait for more details before releasing return-to-play dates for underage games.
The governing body last week released a target of an August 1 start for modified junior competitions, which could run until Sunday, October 11.
Yesterday’s State Government announcement has allowed for the resumption of full contact training and competition for people aged 18 and under from June 22.
There were no details on crowd restrictions. AFL Barwon chairman Craig Keating said the release had given it a chance to consider bringing a start date forward.
“There’ll be detail that sits behind the announcements so we’ll work through all that and make a call then,” Keating said.
“Our plan has always been to start junior football at the very first opportunity we can. That adds value to our clubs and to the kids being able to play their sport.”
Keating said AFL Barwon would start junior competitions at the earliest chance.
Many clubs have expressed to the Geelong Advertiser about the importance of junior games getting off the ground.
“If we’re able to start sooner, we would start sooner,” Keating said.
“It might just mean we move the start date and we move the finish date.”
AFL Barwon said last week an August 1 start would hinge on the State Government easing restrictions to allow at least 100 spectators at local venues by July 18.
Keating said AFL Barwon would continue to be guided on advice from AFL Victoria.
“Without seeing the detail, it’s encouraging we might be able to get a start on junior sport at least by that date,” he said.
“There’ll be a lot more stuff that will become available to us over the next probably three to four days.”
AFL Victoria said in a statement it would work with all parties to return to play in a “effective and safe manner”.
“We are excited to work with our leagues and clubs to begin the 2020 community football and NAB AFL Auskick season where so many girls, boys, women and men have the opportunity to return to play,” it said.