The Central Highlands Football League junior season will go ahead as planned despite the state's developing COVID-19 crisis.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
CHFL manager Diane Ryan said there had been no talk from the board about postponing the season due to this week's developments, which will see all of metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell shire in lockdown for six weeks as coronavirus numbers soar.
And the CHFL's decision to go ahead comes with AFL Victoria's blessing. The state football body released a statement late Tuesday evening saying it backed full-contact training and full-contact competitions, including Auskick, to continue for people 18 years and under.
"AFL Victoria and community leagues will continue to work with the state government so that any resumption of community football activity in Victoria does not compromise the health of individuals or the community. If that advice changes then AFL Victoria and community leagues will act accordingly," the AFL Victoria statement read.
"It is a challenging time for the entire community and AFL Victoria will continue to act in line with government advice to ensure it is in the best interest of all Victorians."
AFL Victoria also stated that no community football training or competition or Auskick program can be held in metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell shire during stage three restrictions.
The CHFL has scheduled three grades of competition in 2020 - under-18, under-15 and under-12 - with the nine-round season set to start on Saturday. Games will be played at Wallace, Hepburn, Newlyn, Waubra, Daylesford and Learmonth this weekend.
A poll conducted on The Courier Footy Facebook page on Tuesday asked readers if the season should still go ahead in light of the statewide COVID-19 numbers surging. More than 1,400 people answered, with 74 per cent of those voting 'no'.
A range of strict protocols will be in place for the CHFL season, with those attending required to be registered by one of three means. These include being listed on the team line-up, by having the COVIDSafe App or through signing a registration sheet.
