COVID-19 (Country)

[Hazbeen]

Positive announcement coming tonight in State meeting regarding crowds numbers allowed to attend CFL games

[Mr Beefy]

Positive announcement coming tonight in State meeting regarding crowds numbers allowed to attend CFL games

I think it has already been announced 500 for community football, are you expecting more?

[scottroo]

500 confirmed by sanfl from July 4

[Hazbeen]

Positive announcement coming tonight in State meeting regarding crowds numbers allowed to attend CFL games

I think it has already been announced 500 for community football, are you expecting more?

framework for progressive increases being discussed by SA Health and SANFL

[Lightning McQueen]

Positive announcement coming tonight in State meeting regarding crowds numbers allowed to attend CFL games

I think it has already been announced 500 for community football, are you expecting more?

I can't see the difference between 500 and 1000 being in attendance, it's at a open space, most will sit on their cars and if they practice social distancing then it matters not, at the end of the day you going to have 40 odd blokes grappling each other out on the field so old mate sitting in his ute isn't going to affect anyone more than that.

[Jimmy_041]

Complete bull$hit by SA Health

[The Big Shrek]

KNTFL and YPFL seasons cancelled.

[Dutchy]

League Updates

Great Southern FL - ?
Southern FL - starting July 11
River Murray FL - starting date TBC
Yorke Peninsula FL - cancelled
Far North FL - cancelled
Kowree, Naracoorte-Tatiara FL - cancelled
Whyalla FL - starting July 4

[Jim05]

BL&G meeting next Tuesday but vote might be postponed 2 weeks to see if restrictions are eased by then.
Deadline of July 18th to start season

[Lightning McQueen]

BL&G meeting next Tuesday but vote might be postponed 2 weeks to see if restrictions are eased by then.
Deadline of July 18th to start season

APFL Directors to meet Monday then with club delegates Wednesday.

[Dutchy]

The state of play of season 2020 for each SA community football league amid the coronavirus pandemic
Patrick Keam, Matt Turner, Daniela Abbracciavento, Gordon Armstrong, The Messenger

Crowds of 500 allowed in big boost for SA local footy

Another three SA country football leagues have abandoned their 2020 seasons due to the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, taking the total to six.

The Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara, Yorke Peninsula and Far North associations all voted to pull the pin on Wednesday night – 24 hours after Kangaroo Island decided not to restart its senior competition and less than a month on from Great Flinders and Mallee making the same call.

A lack of volunteers, worries over policing strict COVID-19 guidelines and fielding two senior teams were major factors behind the three latest cancellations.

The KNTFL had the added complication of having a Victorian club, Kaniva Leeor, that could not enter SA because of border restrictions.

The leagues’ decisions came despite the State Government removing a major stumbling block on Tuesday by allowing community leagues to have crowds of up to 500 people from July 3.

KNTFL clubs voted 8-3 in favour of not playing this year at Wednesday night’s meeting in Naracoorte, which 10 clubs’ representatives attended in person and Kaniva Leeor dialled in via Zoom.

League president Peter McLellan described the result as sad but unsurprising.

“There were too many obstacles and we’ve still got to get the borders going,” McLellan said.

“Clubs felt the protocols made it really difficult, it would put a strain on volunteers and it’s too late.”

On the Yorke Peninsula, it was a 6-3 vote and first-year league president Leighton Wilksch said there were too many concerns to make the senior season viable.

“Most of the clubs couldn’t see it working with getting enough volunteers and the right people to police the strict COVID guidelines needed for a start,’’ Wilksch said.

“Some clubs were worried about finances and whether it would be too costly for them, while all bar one club said they would find it hard fielding both (senior) teams.”

The KNTFL, Yorke Peninsula and Far North leagues will now focus on trying to get junior competitions running by July or August.

In a statement on its Facebook page, the Far North league said it hoped to host several community events this year “to keep football alive in Roxby Downs”.

It was better news for three other leagues that met on Wednesday night and opted to push ahead to play.

The Southern (July 11), Whyalla (July 4) and River Murray (undecided) associations are preparing to kick off over the next month.

SFL president Craig Warman said there was plenty of optimism among his clubs.

“The meeting went very well and was positive,’’ Warman said.

Here is The Messenger’s state of play for every community football league across SA.



SA FOOTBALL’S STATE OF PLAY


ADELAIDE FOOTY LEAGUE – BEGINS JULY 4

The metropolitan league will return to play a nine-round home and away season beginning on July 4. Chief executive John Kernahan said the start date was locked in and the league would work out finer details with its clubs in the coming weeks. Trial games will take place on July 27. One club, Greenacres, has pulled out of the competition for 2020.

Payneham Norwood Union captain Jonathan Giannini is tackled during last seasons Adelaide Footy League grand final. Picture: Tom Huntley
Payneham Norwood Union captain Jonathan Giannini is tackled during last seasons Adelaide Footy League grand final. Picture: Tom Huntley
ADELAIDE PLAINS

The eight Adelaide Plains clubs will meet on June 15, where the league is set to make a recommendation for consideration. League president Michael Vigor said he hoped more information would filter through from the SANFL and State Government before a decision was made. A proposed start date has not been revealed.

BAROSSA, LIGHT & GAWLER

Barossa, Light & Gawler clubs are set to meet on June 16 to discuss their plans. Association president Mick Brien said decision on the season could be made that night, but there was a chance clubs would postpone a vote until June 30, to see if further restrictions are eased.

“Some clubs are concerned 500 (spectators) won’t be enough,” Brien said. “We all want to play but we’ve got to get it right.” Brien said the league’s latest possible start date would be July 18.

EASTERN EYRE

TBC

FAR NORTH – SEASON CANCELLED

The four-team league abandoned the season on Wednesday night but said on its Facebook page it had devised a plan to get teams training again for wellbeing reasons and hoped to stage community events in Roxby Downs “to provide our clubs with some momentum for 2021”.

FAR WEST

Based around Ceduna and one of the state’s smallest leagues, the Far West was due to meet Thursday night with its clubs – Western United, Koonibba, Blues and Thevenard.

GREAT FLINDERS – SEASON CANCELLED

The Eyre Peninsula-based league was the first SA league to pull the pin on its 2020 season last month. Uncertainty over crowds, financial impacts and increased workload on volunteers were the reasons behind the decision, which was made by all six Great Flinders clubs.

GREAT SOUTHERN

Great Southern plans to begin a nine-round season on July 11 and play its grand final on October 3. The league is set to further consult with clubs on Wednesday night. Yankalilla announced last month it would not take part this season due to financial concerns, but the league has left the door open for the Tigers to return. “The crowd of 500 is a bonus and over time that will hopefully increase by the time we’re playing,” league president Terry Corcoan said. “We’re pretty confident we can get everything going.”

Hahndorf celebrates winning the 2019 HFL division one flag. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards
Hahndorf celebrates winning the 2019 HFL division one flag. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards
HILLS

The HFL has proposed a July 4 start date for its two divisions with a grand final no later than October 10. League president Don Cranwell said he would meet with half of the competition’s clubs this week and the other half the following week. “I think we’re nearly there,” Cranwell said. “Unless there’s a dramatic change in State Government protocols or a second outbreak (of coronavirus), I think a start in early July is likely.”

KANGAROO ISLAND – SEASON CANCELLED

Senior men’s competitions have been cancelled with clubs not returning to play until 2021. The league will instead host an under-12 and under-15 competition, kicking off on July 4. All clubs – Dudley United, Kingscote, Parndana, Western Districts and Wisanger – are likely to enter a team in each of the junior tournaments.

KOWREE NARACOORTE TATIARA – SEASON CANCELLED

KNTFL clubs voted 8-3 in favour of abandoning the 2020 campaign but clubs were aiming to get juniors up and running in July. League president Peter McLellan said the three clubs that were against shutting down the season – Mundulla, Bordertown and Kybybolite – were considering speaking to the SANFL about joining other associations for this year.

MALLEE – SEASON CANCELLED

The league’s six clubs unanimously voted to cancel its season last month after struggling to cope with the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, including the closure of the state border. Mallee has Victorian club Murrayville in its competition. “The border restrictions thing is still going to be a big sticking point,” Mallee president David Arbon said on Wednesday. “I’ve always said right from the start because Murrayville were keen to play that if they couldn’t, we wouldn’t go on without them and that still stands. I don’t think much will change unless all the restrictions are lifted.”

MID SOUTH EASTERN

A decision on if senior and junior seasons will be played this year is likely to be decided by the end of the week. The league is, however, bracing for potentially one or two clubs pulling the pin on 2020 so could play a six or seven team, nine-round season with four finals. If the league’s clubs decide to play this year, the competition would likely kick off on July 10 or 17.

The league’s six clubs are set to meet on Thursday night to discuss if a season is likely to get underway this year.

NORTH EASTERN

The North Eastern Football League has already had one club – BBH (Burra-Booborowie-Hallett) – pull the pin on playing this season. The remaining seven teams are set to meet on Thursday night to make a decision on if a season will go ahead this year. If only five teams want to play in 2020, the league’s executives have said they will make it work and a finals series will take place. Should teams vote to play, the season will kick off on July 4.

NORTHERN AREAS

Monday, June 15 will be D-Day for the Northern Areas Football Association when it meets with clubs to make a decision on whether a season will go ahead this year.

No teams have pulled out yet, but it is believed one or two are considering their options. If a season does go ahead, it will kick off on July 4 with 10 minor rounds and a finals series.

PORT LINCOLN

The Port Lincoln Football League will not be making a decision until it receives more information from SA Health and the SANFL on the protocols surrounding the 500-spectator crowds. The league has no proposed start date or cut off for a season and would not commit to anything until it receives more information on the protocols.

RIVER MURRAY – PLAYING BUT START DATE UNDECIDED

The River Murray’s seven clubs met on Wednesday night and chose to push on and play. On the league’s Facebook page, it said the meeting was positive and clubs had sufficient numbers to field five teams. A date to launch the season is yet to be decided but the plan is to complete it by the October long weekend.

RIVERLAND

Clubs will also meet with competition executives to discuss the Riverland Football League’s 2020 season on Wednesday, June 10, however a decision was unlikely to be made until next week. The league has a tentative plan to kick off on July 11.

Four clubs from the Riverland Independent league – Cobdogla, Browns Well, Lyrup and Paringa – were expected not to take part in 2020. A decision on that competition was also yet to be made.

SOUTHERN – BEGINS JULY 11

SFL clubs gave resounding support to a return to the field by voting to kick off on Saturday, July 11. Nine teams will play each other once with a top four to battle over three weeks of finals and the grand final scheduled for September 27, likely at South Adelaide. Women’s matches, men’s C grade, minis and back-up junior games will be played on Sundays, as usual.

“What would have been our second round will be now be our first round with slight tinkering and we would expect that to be finalised in the next day or two,” SFL president Craig Warman said. “The only thing missing from our usual season will be probably the team of the years for all grades but everything else looks good to go.’’

SPENCER GULF

Spencer Gulf Football League president Les Promnitz declared last month that unless the COVID-19 restrictions are eased and crowds of at least 500 people are allowed to attend matches, there would be no 2020 season. The competition’s six clubs were due to meet on Wednesday, June 10.

WESTERN BORDER – UP IN THE AIR

The Western Border is one of three SA associations with a Victorian club – Casterton-Sandford. League president Michael Summers said last month the six-team competition would have a year off if the state boundary did not re-open in time for an August 1 restart.

WHYALLA – BEGINS JULY 4

The six clubs unanimously decided on Wednesday night to start the season on July 4. It will be a 10-round season with the usual three-week finals series, culminating in a September 26 flag decider.

YORKE PENINSULA – SEASON CANCELLED

Clubs in the nine-team Yorke Peninsula Football League were understood to be split over whether or not a season should go ahead and ultimately they voted 6-3 in favour of cancelling the campaign. League president Leighton Wilksch said the association “haven’t worked out or know what senior players will do now with no games. That will be decided later.’’

[Bum Crack]

Riverland Football League cancelled.

[SecretInformant]

Hills confirmed to start July 4

[Lightning McQueen]

Hills confirmed to start July 4

The Hills are alive?

[Bum Crack]

Hills confirmed to start July 4

The Hills are alive?

That's music to my ears.

[Hazbeen]

NEFL starting July 4th with 7 of 8 teams

[Killa]

I’m hearing Ports have requested 6 weeks preseason. Which will be deciding factor in their decision. There are barely 500 people attend SGFL on most weekends including players.

[football tragic]

I’m hearing Ports have requested 6 weeks preseason. Which will be deciding factor in their decision. There are barely 500 people attend SGFL on most weekends including players.

How can they request a 6 week pre season when they could have been training the past 3 weeks and there is 3 weeks before the season starts. If they chose not to train that's not the leagues problem.

[Hazbeen]

Spencer Gulf cancelled.

[Under_Scrutiny]

Northern Areas Football Association going ahead 2020