Junior football, netball still on

Officials are continuing to plan for proposed modified interim Wimmeramallee junior football and netball seasons, starting next month.

But they are assessing circumstances weekly amid a return of COVID-19 cases to the Wimmera and will call the competition off with any threat of community danger.

AFL Wimmera Mallee area manager Jason Muldoon confirmed that several regional clubs concerned about the potential of inter-community virus spread, had withdrawn their teams.

“A few clubs have decided it would be inappropriate to be in the competition, which is fair enough,” he said.

“And while we’re down to about 10 clubs, we’re still on track for an August 8 start.

“We were pretty buoyant about the competition before we had any new cases, but now we have some we will need to reassess, and reassess on the conservative side.

“It’s pretty straightforward – danger it won’t go ahead.

“Our aim is to eventually get the kids playing again but what that looks like is changing week to week.

“We will maintain a flexible approach and if it comes down to having a competition, a few practice matches between clubs or no competitions at all, then so be it.” if there is any

Horsham City Netball Association leaders, meanwhile, have pushed the season opener back a week in light of an increase in COVID-19 cases in the region.

President Cathie Weidemann said the committee met and agreed to delay the junior netball competition – due to start Friday – by a week.

She said along with the concern around an increase in coronavirus cases, several teams were still being finalised.

“They haven’t had a chance to start training yet and are implementing their COVID plans,” she said.

The Friday afternoon sessions will now start on July 31 and run until September 18.

Netsetgo sessions for children aged five to nine will start on July 29 at 3.45pm.

Mrs Weidemann encouraged participants and parents to complete online ‘COVID-SAFE training’ in the lead-up to round one.

She said people could follow a link on the Horsham City Netball Association Facebook page or visit http://playbytherules.net.au/online-courses/ mini-courses/covid-19-awareness-mini-course.

People can visit the Facebook page for updated details, to be released this week.

“It’s pretty straightforward – if there is any danger it won’t go ahead” – Jason Muldoon