OPTIMISM within South Coast Australian Football fans continues to grow, as a potential start date for their 2020 season gains momentum.
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In recent weeks, the AFL has been developing a roadmap for both community footy and Auskick to return to the field, after the coronavirus pandemic postponed the start of the season.
"Our intention was to provide a more detailed outline at the end of April, following the release of a roadmap for the elite game," an AFL spokesperson said.
"While we all want clarity around when the game will return to our fields, this area of work is constantly changing.
"The announcement by the Prime Minister that the National Cabinet (on Friday) will develop a guiding set of principles for sport at all levels, reinforces the extensive work we have been doing to refine our protocols and processes on how and when our seasons will commence.
"Federal, state and territory governments have also indicated the possibility of easing of some restrictions by around mid-May, should the current low trend of transmission continue, and the National Cabinet has indicated that they will review restrictions at a meeting on May 10, provided the curve is still flattening and testing rates are increasing.
"As a result of these developments and reviews, the timetable we will now work to has been revised."
In the week beginning May 11, the AFL intends to make an announcement on when their elite game will resume its season, as well as outlining when community football and Auskick can restart training, ahead of a new proposed start date.
"An update around timings for a resumption of activity at a community level will be provided once the roadmap for the elite competition has been announced," an AFL spokesperson said.
"Pleasingly, governments across Australia are well aware that it will be vital for local sport to resume and re-connect support networks that are currently stretched or not operating.
"We continue to focus on being aligned with the advice of the government and the relevant medical authorities and are ensuring everything we do protects the health and safety of our participants and the wider community.
"We thank you for your patience and ongoing collaboration as the planning continues to evolve, and we look forward to being able to provide a more robust update to you following the planned elite game announcement in the second week of May."
This growing optimism excites Bomaderry Tigers men's senior coach Matthew Barnes.
"It's very encouraging to hear there is planning being done to get us back training and playing footy with our mates," Barnes said.
"Footy clubs are important for a variety of reasons, so once it's safe to do so we will be straight back into it."