Community Sport Resumes
The West Gippsland Football and Netball Competition will resume a week later, after a majority of clubs voted in favour of returning on August 14th
By Jack Morgan
Restrictions have eased for community sport, but leagues across Gippsland are divided on whether play will resume this weekend.
In football and netball, the Gippsland League will resume games for both seniors and juniors starting on August 7.
The West Gippsland Football and Netball Competition will resume a week later, after a majority of clubs voted in favour of returning on August 14th.
AFL Gippsland are advising leagues to hold off on an announcement until more clarity is given on spectator numbers and clubroom capacity.
The Mid Gippsland League are holding a Zoom meeting tonight, where clubs will give input on whether it’s viable to operate without spectators.
Without income from gate entry, the cost of employing umpires and paying players is an issue. It’s understood the league could float an idea of a subsidy that would cover operation costs.
The Ellinbank and District League are in the same boat, awaiting further news from AFL Gippsland before a decision is made for both senior and junior sport. Operations manager Ken Moore said the biggest cost comes down to player salary, and it will be up to a vote from clubs as to whether the season continues under the current restrictions.
Clubs have voted unanimously for the West Gippsland Junior Football Association to resume this Saturday. A decision will be made on whether to play a “lightning premiership” or to abandon rounds 10 and 11. Spectators will not be allowed besides necessary people such as coaches, parents and guardians.
Juniors in the Warragul and District League will also get a run on the weekend, with rounds 10 and 11 rescheduled so every team faces each other.
In Soccer, Warragul United will play at home against the Casey Comets on Saturday. A club spokesperson said missed games could still be played at a later date, but the details are still being sorted in the Division 1 League.
The Gippsland Soccer League is also set to resume this weekend, with the Drouin Dragons playing away against the Inverloch Stars on Sunday. Junior soccer players will be allowed to have one parent or guardian to supervise. League administrator Jackson Landy said he’s unsure if the season will play out as is or whether the fixture could be reshuffled so that every team plays once.
In the West Gippsland Hockey Association, play is set for this weekend. It’s believed the season will resume on round 11.
