Pelicans’ focus on friendlies after opting out of league play

ARMSTRONG United will hold internal games this year after its unanimous decision to withdraw from the local competition.

The Pelicans were the first Geelong region club to opt out of the season, including their senior and junior teams. President Michael Parker said the club was unwilling to risk the health and wellbeing of its players and members, but would encourage participation through friendly fixtures when restrictions allowed.

“It’s mainly for juniors, just to get them out kicking a ball,” Parker said.

“Senior-wise, we’ll probably run some friendly games on a Sunday afternoon in lieu of normal games, just so they can get around the club and see each other.”

The decision was also made because of a “lack of clear direction” from Football Victoria, the club said in an online statement.

“I think a lot of clubs — and we’re not different — probably felt pressure from Football Victoria to get players to register,” Parker said.

“They’ve got to pay their registration fee but then there’s no guarantee they would get a refund from Football Victoria if the season wasn’t to go ahead. We just weren’t comfortable doing that.”

Armstrong United was promoted to Division 1 for this season but it is not in danger of losing its place in the top tier following Football Victoria’s announcement there would be no relegation.

Parker said an overwhelming majority of players, members and supporters did not want to participate in an organised competition in 2020.

The committee was “unanimous” in its decision, which had since been praised on social media, he said.

“We actually haven’t had a single piece of negative feedback,” he said.

“There’s been a heap of positive feedback from players and other club members — whether that’s committee or players — who are really supportive of it.

“I’ve spoken to three or four other presidents in different meetings across the league (and) they’re all in the same boat. They’re probably just trying to work out what’s best for their club from that point of view but they can all see where we’re coming from. We’re not saying what we’re going with is going to fit or suit all clubs, it just suits us and we’re where at.”

Parker said other clubs were considering running a fewer number of sides this year because of the pandemic. “I was talking to another president … I think they had six local teams and they’re looking at two maybe for this season,” he said.