AFL South Coast has decided to cancel, rather than postpone, the majority of its fixtures scheduled for Saturday, July 3, due to the current COVID-19 lockdown imposed of the Greater Sydney area.
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The league announced on Monday all games involving teams from the Wollongong and Shellharbour local government areas would not be proceeding on Saturday.
While there were still ongoing discussions as to if the division one men's fixture between Bomaderry and Ulladulla at the Nowra Showground and women's division one clash between Vikings/Bombers and Dockers at West Street Oval would proceed.
"Like last year, we're strongly committed to looking at all practicable options for keeping the season going within whatever public health order constraints we face," community football and competition manager South Coast Tim Martin said.
"After seeking clarity on whether training in some form can continue for those within the lockdown areas, we've been advised by the NSW government's office of sport that all organised community sport activities, including matches and training, can not proceed at the moment.
"While exemptions exist for individuals to partake in exercise (and in groups of not more than 10), club training is seen as an organised event, and as such, does not meet one of the exemption grounds."
This decision means the premier men's matches between Shellharbour and Figtree and Kiama and Wollongong Bulldogs, as well as the women's fixtures between Bomaderry and Figtree and Kiama and Bulldogs will most likely end in a non-result - with a final decision on that to be decided in the coming days.
The AFLSC is working closely with the state body on when a return to the field may be possible, with the lockdown currently slated to end on July 9 - one day before the scheduled round 10 of the 2021 premiership.