FOOTBALL Federation Sunraysia (FFS) is committed to running a soccer competition this year despite Football Federation Australia (FFA) extending the suspension of competition and training until the end of May.
Initially, FFS intended to meet this month to discuss a return to training and play, however amid the COVID-19 pandemic a rethink has been forced.
But FFS general manager Susan Watts (pictured) is determined the sport will go ahead in 2020.
“I’m very open to doing whatever it is that we can do,” Watts said.
“If we didn’t run a season we’d be fine financially, but why we are here is to run the competitions … so my goal is to run something.
“I just don’t know what that will be just yet.”
Watts said ideas included a two-round season, which would need to start in June under normal circumstances, but that seems unlikely.
The season could also go into the September holidays, and playing multiple games in a week is another idea being mooted.
“There’s plenty of options … and if we get the opportunity, we will definitely do something,” Watts said.
FFS is also aiming to host the South Australian Junior Soccer Association Country Championships at the end of August in Mildura.
As for registration fees for players, Watts said direction would need to come from Football Victoria.
“We would be speaking to Football Victoria about the fact we are going to have to reduce our fees,” Watts said.
“Because that comes through them and is done online we need some instruction from them.”
The FFS board will meet again on May 18 to review the situation.
FFA said its decision to suspend sanctioned grassroots competitions and training until at least May 31 was another in a series of measures taken by FFA in response to COVID-19 in consultation with its state and territory member federations and the national COVID-19 working committee.
FFA chief executive officer James Johnson said developments in government policy meant his organisation’s plan to make a formal assessment on April 14 was brought forward.
“These are unprecedented times and it is very difficult to predict what further measures will be introduced or for how much longer current measures will be in place.”
