NO Sunraysia football or netball will be played this weekend, but plans are in place to make up for lost games.
After a meeting on Tuesday night, the Sunraysia Football and Netball League (SFNL) board put a line through Saturday’s scheduled round, but is hopeful of a return to action next weekend.
If all goes to plan, next week will pick up from the scheduled round 9 and play through until round 18, with postponed rounds 7 and 8 to be made up after other matches have been completed.
The competition is likely to move the semi-finals from a two-weekend schedule to a Saturday-Sunday schedule on the same weekend. This would mean the dates for preliminary finals and grand finals, scheduled for September 4 and 11 respectively, would be pushed back by two weeks.
Potential caps on crowds remain a major concern for local clubs, and SFNL executive officer Peter Walker said the board would assess restrictions as they become known. If restrictions extend beyond next weekend, it would likely be “back to the drawing board” for a decision on the competition’s future.
While junior outdoor sport is able to resume this weekend in regional Victoria, the SFNL confirmed there would be no competitions.
“The conversation is pretty open ended at the moment,” Walker said. “Obviously there are concerns around crowds and if there will be capped numbers.
“The board met last night (Tuesday) to discuss what our options are and in the lead-up we received feedback from club presidents.
“With the uncertainty surrounding everything it’s hard to make a solid plan, we have to remain flexible.
“We’ve put a line through playing this weekend, seniors and juniors, and if all goes well we’ll hopefully be back in action Saturday week over the Queen’s Birthday.”
While Walker said it was pleasing to have some restrictions eased in regional Victoria, the continued uncertainty means the “goal posts might change”.
“So much is depending on circumstances, and if it all extends beyond next weekend we will have to go back to the drawing board,” he said.
“Restrictions on crowd sizes is the main issue that clubs have communicated to us. Until there are more specifics in place it’s hard to comment on right now.
“It’s pleasing that some of the regional restrictions have eased but there’s obviously a lot still up in the air. We’ve also really had no updates from AFL Victoria at this stage.
“While junior competitions can recommence, having maximum groups of 10 would be an issue so the SFNL are comfortable to continue with their determination from Tuesday night of not playing this weekend.”
