Junior football and netball seasons cancelled

AFL Barwon has cancelled the junior winter football and netball seasons due to regional Victoria returning to Stage 3 restrictions.

The Stage 3 restrictions, which prohibit community sport, come into place at 11:59pm Wednesday night and are set to remain in place for a minimum of six weeks, which coincides with AFL Barwon’s proposed end dates for the junior football and netball seasons.

Tuesday night netball was fixtured for play this evening, but the AFL Barwon Commission has made the collective decision to cease all competitions effective immediately.

AFL Barwon subsequently advised there was no prospect of the winter season resuming once restrictions ease, but left the door open for potential competitions and activities in summer.

In a statement this morning, AFL Barwon regional general manager Will McGregor said it was disappointing to see the season end so soon after starting but he was pleased the juniors had been given the chance to play.

“The state government’s announcement was clear-cut from a community sport point of view, and we must accept it and continue to prioritise the health and safety of our community, which has been AFL Barwon’s constant commitment through the COVID-19 period.

“We are immensely fortunate and proud to have been able to play three rounds of junior sport this season. To see the happiness in players faces and the joy it brought to parents, clubs, volunteers and entire sporting communities made the hard work from everyone worth it.”