SOCCER GREEN LIGHT

Football Victoria names junior, senior July start

GEELONG soccer teams will start playing next month after Football Victoria confirmed yesterday that junior and senior competitions would start.

NPL, State League and VPLW clubs will play their opening games on the weekend of July 25-26.

North Geelong Warriors president John Didulica said the club’s players were “pumped” with the news.

“From our perspective, it was never a doubt that we wanted to return as soon as the Government gave the all clear,” Didulica said.

“We put our hand up to get back out there. I think for young players to miss a season of football is almost catastrophic if they’ve got designs on being an elite player.

“It’s critical for those younger guys, girls, boys, men, women who have got aspirations within football that they continue to play. We’re delighted with that.”

Didulica said he believed the first 11 games in the original fixture would remain, with another five games at the end “based on where clubs are situated on the ladder”. It means the season would run until late October.

The first junior games will start from the weekend of July 4 and 5.

“The thought of not bringing the kids and other teams together weekly was something we really needed to work hard to make sure it didn’t happen,” Didulica said.

“We’re really glad Football Victoria’s done a mountain of work to get the season back on track. The fact we can get back is wonderful and we’ve been preparing with this in mind for a few months and I’m glad we can reactivate.”

Football Victoria said the latest easing of restriction measures, which were announced on Sunday, paved the way “for a safe return to competitive football”.

Clubs can resume contact training from July 13.

“We have spent recent days consulting with clubs, councils and a range of stakeholders to put in place season commencement dates that are achievable and allow for the maximum amount of football to be played this season,” Football Victoria said.