The Eagles are reigning premiers in both the under-15 and under-18 competitions, but decided to bypass the current campaign which began without them last Saturday.

Some footballers have even opted to leave the club to play elsewhere.

"I wish we could be playing footy in a safe environment but I'm happy with the decision we made and I think as each day is going past it's looking more like it was the right decision to be honest," Clifford said.

"It's not just about the few kids that want to play, it's the whole club.

"I think it's a big ask to ask a lot of people that are volunteers to put themselves in a situation where their livelihood is at stake, where they could have to be shut down for two weeks all the time and with the amount of cleaning and all that that has got to be done. It's a lot of work."

Clifford said he respected the league's and AFL Goldfields' decision to hold a season, but felt the risks were too great for the benefit that would be achieved.

"They should be promoting sport in the region - that's what their job is - and if they weren't promoting it they wouldn't be doing their job," he said of the CHFL and AFL Goldfields. "I think the decision should have been taken out of their hands though."

Despite the CHFL running junior grades, the Central Highlands Netball League abandoned all divisions for season 2020.