THE cue has been placed in the rack for the 2020 Sunraysia Football and Netball (SFNL) season … well almost.
Unless there is a minor miracle, health restrictions on mass gatherings due to the coronavirus, are mudding the waters and making a possible start increasingly unlikely.
Presently, in order to give clubs a few weeks of group training as a season lead-in, the SFNL has tentatively scheduled the kick-off for June 20, providing the all clear is given for community sport by health authorities.
A late start would still allow for one complete round plus finals, which is fine, and although not ideal, would be workable and acceptable by clubs and fans.
The latest possible start would be July 4.
This time framework would allow the reduced fixture, which still has a two week cushion, to be completed before the AFL grand final.
Also, there is a one week surplus available if the first and second semi-finals were played on the same weekend.
But this all depends on mass gathering restrictions being lifted.
SFNL board member Peter Rhoden was far from confident that the stars would align to even allow for a one round season.
Rhoden is the league’s longest serving administrator and has a wealth of experience in decision making on the hard issues affecting local football having served under no fewer than five presidents.
Ahead of recommendations – which essentially say no crowds, no play – to be put to the Sunraysia AFL commission, Rhoden gave a personal view this week.
“Our (the league’s) position to the commission is basically no crowds, no play and this is supported by the clubs,” Rhoden said.
“Although we could manage to fit in a one round season starting as late as July 4, in my view restrictions on mass gatherings would still need to be lifted to make this practicable.
“Given that the Andrews government has been cautious in this regard, and one of the last state’s to ease restrictions on crowd numbers and opening of schools, it’s difficult to all of a sudden see a significant change of heart.”
Any suggestion that community football and netball can be played without crowds, or limited to around 500 people per venue, as was the case in the early days of the pandemic, is nonsense.
If you include match day officials, players and umpires in all grades of football and netball, the 500 figure will be exceeded on that basis alone.
And social distancing requirements will simply render after match entertainment, a big part of a club’s income, impractical.
Fans and administrators should also be cautious in comparing what the AFL is likely to do and what’s possible in the country.
Although many may bristle at the suggestion, the governing body of the nation’s most popular sport is driven to have a season, even without crowds, essentially because they stand to gain significant revenue through television rights.
Country clubs don’t have the luxury of negotiating lucrative contracts with media platforms.
Further, the AFL is only looking at one game of senior football at one venue, which would bring their numbers well within a possible 500 person limit.
This is in complete contrast to what happens in the country where football and netball in junior and senior grades are played.
Essentially, the AFL’s situation and what happens on game day in community football and netball are simply worlds apart.
Bernie Kelly is a Sunraysia Daily football writer
