Dusties relaunch training sessions
With a 5:45pm start, players and coaches slowly made the usual trek down the training track after work, with some forgetting the end of autumn, quickly returning to their cars for a jumper.
While it has been almost nine weeks, the players immediately showed how important the return of training really is to a community sporting team. Respecting the 1.5 metre distancing rules, the players laughed, joked and chatted about the last two months.
Hand sanitiser was ready and waiting to use before and during training, while distinct entry and exit points saw the customary leap over the fence to fetch the footy stopped in its tracks.
After a few early dropped marks, which some blamed solely on the hand sanitiser, players began to work into training, the touch and feel of the footy returning to the group as the main session kicked off.
You could see the spirits lifting almost immediately, which coach Stephen Ryan touched on.
“It’s great to get out of the house, see your mates, get some fresh air and have some banter in that club atmosphere that I think everyone has missed,” Ryan said.
Ryan, who is embarking on his second year at the helm, said that while a season looks a little way away he would still like to see one go ahead, especially after a deal was struck with Cricket Victoria allowing football to finish as late as October 18.
“I think now with the cricket season extended; it allows us to get one game in against everyone. Speaking to the guys, they don’t really mind around how many games, it’s the whole aspect of getting what we can in and playing some footy this year.” Ryan said.
With the financial cost of the season still to play out, players at the club have shown their side some good faith, with most of the playing list agreeing to play for nothing if there would be a season 2020. In return, the Dusties have signed on almost every senior player for 2021.
Darren Granger, a senior player in the Dusties’ side said that it felt great to be able to get back out on the park with the boys.
“It’s pretty exciting, obviously it’s been a long break and pretty mentally challenging for the guys,” he said. “First session back, I think we’ll just get a bit of touch and have some fun,” he added.
Granger said he would love to see a season go ahead as well.
“Absolutely, it doesn’t matter how many games we play, whether it’s eight, 11, 24, whatever, it would just be good for the community and football clubs. If we can break this cycle of a tough challenging time, it would be brilliant,” he said.
Football director Nick Gooden explained that the training session run on Monday night was one of the more remarkable ones to get off the ground.
Gooden has taken on the newly implemented role of COVID Officer at the club, in charge of making sure the strict guidelines are always adhered to.
“There has been a lot of extra hard work to get this training session up than ever in the history of country football, I think. The guys are upbeat and happy to see each other though that’s for sure,” he said.
In the lead up to last Monday night’s session, Gooden alongside the coaches went through the COVID-19 online training course, while also familiarising themselves with what each session would look like.
Gooden said there were a few things the club needed to do in order to begin, including working with the Warragul Football Club when it comes to usage of the oval.
“It was a matter of educating the players and encouraging them to download the COVID Safe App. We’ll keep a training register and make sure there is adequate hand sanitiser throughout training,” he said. “There will be a good clean of the public areas too for when Warragul train on alternate nights as well,” he said.
The Dusties will continue to train until a decision is made but women’s and reserves coach Shane Ingham said that he hopes one is made sooner rather than later.
“I’m hopeful it will happen, but I just wish we’d get a date or a yes or no answer. As much as we want to be out here, if we do this for four weeks then they cancel the season, it’s a bit of bummer,” Ingham said.
Ingham, who is at the helm of the women’s side, said his team may be able to survive the financial aspect a little easier than the men’s.
“The women’s league starts later normally, so we are only a little bit behind, I think the women’s side might be able to survive a little easier, but they still need to pay insurance and membership fees,” Ingham said.
Regardless of the uncertainty the coaches, players and officials all agreed on one thing. It was great to have football back in the community last Monday night.