Junior footy kicks off despite relative testing positive

A RELATIVE of a player in the under-13 Inverleigh football team has tested positive for coronavirus, but the case is not expected to jeopardise junior footy’s return to play in the region.

The Inverleigh Football and Netball Club confirmed that on Thursday night it was made aware that a family member of one of its under 13s players had tested positive for COVID-19.

“All appropriate steps in line with the COVID protocols have been followed and are currently taking place to ensure the safety of all our members and extended families,” the club said on its Facebook page late Saturday.

“The families of the players who attended under 13 training on Wednesday night have been notified directly by the club.

“The training attendance sheet has been shared with AFL Barwon, who will work with (the Department of Health and Human Services) if/where necessary.

“Further testing is taking place as a result and any impact on upcoming under-13s training will be communicated to those families once we get more information on the situation.”

The club said although the risk of transmission was very low due to the stringent protocols followed by IFNC, it encouraged anyone showing symptoms to get tested.

“For now, all other junior teams are OK to proceed as per COVID normal,” it said.

It comes after the state government last week announced the resumption of full-contact training and competition for people aged 19 and over in regional Victoria would be halted due to the presence of the virus around the state.

Full-contact training was originally scheduled to resume on Monday and full-contact competition was set to be allowed to return on July 20 for community sport across regional Victoria.