THE Sunraysia Football Netball League is set to continue its season with all games to be played in NSW this weekend.
From Monday at noon, many Victorian border residents are exempt from the stay-at-home orders now restricting their activities in NSW.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard signed a public health order amendment that exempts people provided they haven’t been outside the Victorian border region and do not travel outside the NSW border region.
The SFNL was taken by surprise late last week, with Victorian spectators barred from attending weekend sporting matches even though all players could participate.
Victorian border residents also could not visit venues, cafes, restaurants or churches in NSW unless their activity related to obtaining essential goods and services, medical care, exercise, work or school.
But the NSW Government’s decision to make border residents exempt has been described as “sensational” by SFNL president Paul Matheson.
“We have still got to work through some finer details with presidents, but we will definitely be pushing ahead with playing games in NSW this weekend,” he said.
“We put things into place late Thursday and Friday and there has just been such a can do attitude from all the clubs. Obviously there were concerns over catering and aspects around gates, but we just couldn’t be happier with the response, particularly from Wentworth and Gol Gol, as well as Robinvale who have made that Euston ground available.
“There hasn’t been a thing that the presidents and boards haven’t considered. It’s not going to be easy, but we will make do.”
Matheson said after the 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID-19, there was a willingness to work together to make sure the 2021 season could continue.
“When you look at the disaster we went through, families are looking to do stuff and the competition has been so successful this year on and off the field,” he said.
“They are very much family days out for people who have all been put through the wringer. They have been locked up in homes and businesses have suffered, so everyone sees the importance of it and it is a community ‘can do’ attitude.
“In the end, we have got to make do and if anything it has made the community more resilient.”
The rescheduled fixture this weekend will see Irymple and Wentworth move their match from Irymple to Dareton’s George Gordon Oval, the senior match between Robinvale-Euston and Ouyen United will be played in Euston, with juniors able to still play in Robinvale, while Imperials and South Mildura will play a twilight encounter at Gol Gol on Saturday. Red Cliffs and Merbein will play on Sunday in Dareton. Mildura has the bye.
