AFL NSW/ACT is working closely with the office of sport and key government agencies, including the office of local government, to understand the revised public health orders and impacts on community sport, such as the AFL South Coast competition.
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The office of sport is also currently developing guidelines and principles for sporting organisations to safely recommence activity.
The AFL and its state and territory bodies have created a return to training and play framework, in line with the Australian Institute of Sport's resumption of sport and recreation activity framework.
"We have completed significant scenario planning around return to play dates for each league ranging from mid-June to mid-August," an AFL NSW/ACT spokesperson said.
"Pleasingly, all scenarios commencing within this window provide clubs with an opportunity to compete in a traditional premiership season, highlighted by the chance to play each opponent at least once in the minor rounds, plus a finals series.
"We are also making solid progress with our fellow winter and summer state sporting organisations and local associations as it relates to a revised 2020 winter season.
"We will provide further updates on the start (and end) dates as this information becomes available."
In terms of a return to training, AFL NSW/ACT, following the federal government's three-step framework for a COVID-Safe Australia released on Friday, is still seeking clarification on a number of aspects.
"From our understanding, unless advised otherwise, organised club activities in groups of 10 or less cannot resume under step one of the framework, which comes into effect this Friday," an AFL NSW/ACT spokesperson said.
"Supporting this position, in discussions I have had with a number of local councils this week, they have advised that unless given a clear directive by the state government that formal training can resume and grounds are required, their grounds will remain closed during step one.
"Should we receive differing advice on the back of our submission to the office of sport I will pass this on, along with the important return to training protocols and a checklist we have developed for clubs to use to ensure the strict conditions are met."
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Courtney Ward
Sports Journalist for South Coast Register and Milton-Ulladulla Times, who loves all things sport and travel. All views are my own.
Sports Journalist for South Coast Register and Milton-Ulladulla Times, who loves all things sport and travel. All views are my own.
