Footy fun as season kicks off

THOUSANDS of Tasmanian children have returned to the state’s sporting fields as junior rosters finally begin. The 2020 junior soccer season started on Saturday and junior Aussie Rules football roster kicked off on Sunday. The State Government’s decision to allow up to 500 people to attend outdoor sporting events has allowed seasons to go ahead. Coronavirus restrictions have prevented balls from being kicked until now.

WINTER weekends in Tasmania have regained some normalcy with thousands of children and parents returning to junior AFL and soccer.

The 2020 junior soccer season started on Saturday and junior AFL started on Sunday.

Southern Tasmanian Junior Football Association executive officer Tony Gibson said the shortened season had a minimal impact on participation, with about 3300 players registered.

“It’s only slightly down on what we would have anticipated, but we had three clubs who chose not to participate because of COVID protocols,” he said.

“The officials and clubs have been all over it and endeavouring to do the right thing.”

Mr Gibson said the state government’s decision to allow up to 500 people to attend outdoor sporting events in Tasmania had allowed the season to go ahead.

“It would have been much more difficult from a junior participation point of view to have restrictions around adults attending,” he said.

Xavier Clark, 7, from Lindisfarne Junior Football Club, said he was excited to return to the football field to play with his friends.

“I love passing, handballing and kicking,” he said.

Football Tasmania CEO Matt Bulkeley said seeing so many children enjoying the world game again on Saturday had been rewarding. “There’s certainly been a void in the lives of many without this weekend ritual,” he said.