While there is no word yet as to if and when local competitions could resume this year, netballers will be able to return to the court today after the state netball body revealed Thursday, May 21 as its start date.
Football teams will have to wait a little longer than their club counterpart, with AFL Victoria announcing last week training can resume from Monday, May 25.
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All training sessions will need to be modified to adhere to the 10-person limit on outside gatherings, though this can be achieved in football’s case by running two separate groups of 10 on the same oval, though at opposite ends.
Players will also need to comply with strict hygiene guidelines, including using personal drink bottles.
Though it remains to be seen how quickly each of Benalla's clubs return to training, the Benalla District Junior Football League announced this week it could be a little longer to get Benalla’s junior talent back onto the field.
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In a post to Facebook this week, the league wrote; "From a BDJFL perspective, it’s important that players, coaches, parents, and the community have an understanding that there is a lot of work to be done before training can resume safely.
“The first step will obviously be to review the AFL community football protocols. We will then determine if the protocols can be implemented fully and safely.
“Given the shared nature of the facilities we use, both for training and matches, we will need to work with a range of stakeholders including the Benalla Saints Football Netball Club, Benalla All Blacks Football Netball Club, both the Showgrounds and Friendlies Committees of Management, and the Benalla Rural City.”
The AFL is also expected to announce further advice on Auskick programs around the country, and if they too can resume in some form this year.
