Ballarat soccer teams in National Premier Leagues and state leagues have played their last games for the year.
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Football Victoria has cancelled the balance of home and away seasons for all Melbourne metropolitan competitions owing to the COVID-19 lockdown.
This means the season is over for Sebastopol Vikings in the men's state league three north-west, Ballarat in men's state league five west, Ballarat City FC in women's state league 1 north-west and Ballarat City FC in the NPL3 senior and junior programs.
However, FV has left the door open for Ballarat and District Soccer Association and other country-based competitions to return if the state government lifts the lockdown in regional Victoria in time.
With the season being abandoned early, FV has ruled there will no premiers or champions declared, no individual awards, and no promotion or relegation.
FV president Antonella Care and FV chief executive officer Kimon Taliadoros, in a joint statement, said they had been left with no choice but to end the seasons given there was no guaranteed timeframe for a safe return to football.
"We know this news is disappointing, particularly following last year's abandoned season.
"Winter sport has borne the brunt of lockdowns and in turn, the impact on our football community has been immense.
"Our clubs, associations, officials, administrators, volunteers and players have bravely weathered the storm, rallying through each round of restrictions, showing a resilience that we know will keep our community strong through yet another challenge," they said.
"While we may not have made it to the final whistle right across the state, your efforts have provided thousands with the opportunity to live and love football."
