Picola District league sets target date for season, prompting mixed reaction from clubs

The league said it would facilitate a 13-round season before an eight-team, four-week finals series that would have grand final day set for October 31.

The statement comes as leagues across all parts of the Victoria continue to announce they will not proceed with this year's season, with the Kyabram District, Ovens and King and Heathcote District leagues among those to have cancelled.

Most of those leagues have cancelled citing long-term sustainability as the number one priority given the challenges presented by COVID-19 restrictions and crowd restrictions remains a major hurdle in the Picola league's plans, with limits only expected to be raised to 50 people on June 22, far less than what clubs would require to make a season financially viable.

In a league statement, president Denis Brooks said the board met on Tuesday night last week and decided to provide clubs with a road map for the season's return.

“The PDFNL is very conscious of the key role that football and netball plays in the physical and mental health and well-being of our local communities and we have been working closely with AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria as we endeavour to return players to the field and court for the season,” he said.

“This decision follows consideration of club feedback, Federal and State Government advice and consultation with AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria, all of whom have expressed continued support and encouragement for community sport to recommence.

“The current landscape means that we operate in an ever-changing environment and there will no doubt be challenges that will present in both the short and long term. However, the PDFNL remains confident that by setting a proposed starting date, that clubs will now be able to move forward and we can all return to enjoying the benefits of reconnecting within the football and netball community environment.”

The statement said the league continued to work with its clubs, governing bodies, councils and governments, and monitor health guideline updates and changes to government regulations that might make beginning the season possible.

Neither the Victorian Government or AFL Victoria has yet provided a date for when contact training will be permitted, with teams currently limited to non-contact training in groups of 20.

A number of clubs have expressed concern with the campaign kicking off on July 11.

Tocumwal was among those clubs, with a statement on its Facebook page suggesting it had not been sufficiently consulted before the league announced its starting date proposal.

“The TFNC has always been supportive of a return to play, as long as it can be done in a manner which ensures the safety of all participants, spectators, sponsors and volunteers,” the statement read.

“To achieve such a goal a lot of work has to be done and a lot of protocols and restrictions have to be adhered to before we can make a decision to undertake a season start.

“The TFNC is disappointed that little or no consultation was undertaken by the PDFNL board before issuing this statement, however, we will endeavour to do what is best by our club, members, player, volunteers and sponsors.”

But Brooks insisted clubs had been consulted when interviewed on One FM's Super Saturday Sports.

“We've been in regular consultation with our clubs and clearly not everybody is flat-out on-board . . . and that's part of the result of not having a date,” Brooks said.

“We thought get a date out, get same feedback from our clubs now, clearly there'll be some issues that have clubs concerned with without a shadow of a doubt.

“We've got good feedback already over the last 48 hours and we'll work through that and our anticipation is that we'll have a Zoom meeting or a face-to-face meeting, we'll see what it all looks like at that point.

“Our operations manager Shane (Railton) has been speaking to all our clubs all the way through, trying to pass on every bit of information we can to the presidents and key guys and ladies.”

Mathoura president Andrew Pridham also cast doubt on the viability of starting on July 11, telling the Riverine Herald there was no sign government-imposed restrictions would be lifted in time to make it possible.

While Brooks and Railton have acknowledged games will not go ahead without crowds, it remains unlikely sufficiently-numbered social gatherings will be allowed by July 11 for clubs to make ends meet.

“There are still questions from a health and safety point of view, but the big question is around the financial side,” Pridham said.

“Due to the restrictions currently in place we don't believe a season is financially viable. We know a lot can change before the season is currently scheduled to start, but no-one can tell us for sure they will.”

Pridham also suggested a potential exemption allowing crowds of 500 would still present issues with footballers and netballers making up about 200 people, adding a proposal that would have players arrive immediately before a game and leave straight after would hurt financially.

“All clubs, not just ours, need people to stay around and get lunch at the canteen or buy a couple of drinks. It's how we make our money,” he said.

“We are like any other business, we need to stay profitable to be successful. No business operates to run at a loss.”

Picola United president Brad Caldwell was also vocal about the problems at hand, tweeting Thursday night smaller clubs would be disadvantaged when play returned.

“Good luck to the smaller clubs trying to survive in the PDFNL,” he wrote.

“Risks to clubs include health, lack of volunteers, financial burden, litigation, not to mention the cashed-up making use of extra available players.”

Blighty Football Club has resumed training in recent weeks and senior coach Daniel Kirchen said a potential season start date will be the extra motivation to work on skills and fitness.

“It’s good news and we’re looking forward to the return of football; it will be good to get back to normality,” Kirchen told the Pastoral Times.

“It’s just good to be getting back together and having a catch-up and kick around,” reserves coach Kyel Bain said.

Deniliquin Rovers A-grade netball coach Deanne Stevens said her sides were back on the court recently as well.

“We had a really good turn up between our A-grade and under-17s (two weeks ago),” she said.

“The girls were pleased to get back together, they hadn’t lost a step with fitness either so it was good to see they were doing individualised training during coronavirus lockdown.”

Rovers football coach Alex Hay said having a date to work toward will allow the club to "ramp up its training".

“I think it’s a good outcome, we have a core of local blokes who are keen to get going,” Hay said.

“We started restricted training last week but will have to call a few more blokes from out of the woodwork to join in.”

And Rennie supporters may just be the most excited to see football and netball season begin on July 11 after the club announced two huge signings.

Former AFL players Brendan Fevola and Ricky Dyson will pull on the green and white if matches go ahead.

“It's really exciting for the club to have two players of Brendan's and Ricky's calibre join the club,” Rennie president Matt Stephens said.

“They are both keen to play some footy and hopefully we will be right to go next month at the proposed start date.”