The clubs’ respective presidents, Doug Aiton and David Hernan, were in agreeance last week the the right decision had been made by league officials to forgo the official season.
“To be honest, I’ve been thinking it was the right thing to do for a long time,” Hernan said.
“And the longer it takes to get to a decision, the harder it is to start up again.
“It’s a risk to the community, not just the players but our volunteers.
“A lot of them are older and have approached me and said ‘I’m not too fond to help’ and I’m comfortable with that.
“The league has done the right thing.”
In a statement from the Ovens and King Football Netball League Board, the league said after extensive consultation with its 12 clubs and AFL North East Border a motion was passed to cancel the season.
“It was evident that clubs had an overwhelming desire for the future of the 2020 season to be determined immediately and to cancel as the most appropriate action to ensure the long-term sustainability of their clubs and the leagues,” the statement read.
Initial discussions saw clubs raise concerns on their exposure to financial risk, additional requirements on volunteers and the inability to effectively manage crowds, as well as the likelihood of not playing in front of crowds.
Aiton, who took over the role as All Blacks president at the end of 2019, concurred there was a number of issues stopping a season going ahead and said playing half a season would leave the club financially "in trouble".
The most pressing issue for all clubs though, was the health and safety of everyone attending matches.
“If we did play and one player got COVID-19, you’d have a club in complete lockdown. You couldn’t have that,” Aiton said.
Both clubs hope to provide a boost to its members by holding social functions later in year while also focusing on on-field planning ahead of a 2021 season.
“The first thing for us will be getting our coaches on board again for next year,” Hernan said.
“There will be talks with players and keeping the groups together - it may seem early, but any club would be doing that.
“And we’ll get together socially and do those things to keep everyone engaged.”
Following an off-season recruitment spree last year, Aiton said the All Blacks hoped to retain its 2020 playing list.
“Our recruits haven’t had a chance to play with us,” he said.
“Hopefully they stay with us and get to experience the club so we can continue this vibe we have going into next year.”
The Ovens and King board said it remained committed to helping all clubs continue within the league in 2021.
The cancellation of the season comes less than a week after the Kyabram District League cancelled its own competition, while metropolitan leagues, Eastern Football League and the Northern Football League also announced they would not proceed this year.
9°C