Benalla Saints women’s football team will face an extended stay on the sidelines after it was announced the Northern Country Women’s League has cancelled this year’s competition.
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Benalla has also confirmed they will not field a youth girls team this year.
While the MBCM Youth Girls competition may still go ahead this year, Saints youth girls coach Ant Foubister confirmed the club had decided to work towards returning to play in 2021.
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The NCWL decision was made at an advisory committee meeting last Tuesday night and was in part determined by survey results from clubs, which found only three out of the eight teams within the league were not confident in fielding enough players to form a team.
In addition to increased responsibilities because of public health and safety under COVID-19 restrictions, it was determined a shortened season would not be viable or workable in the current conditions.
Benalla co-coaches Lucy Walch and Russell Lowe confirmed the Saints had voted against playing this season but said the decision was "gutting" for the coaches and players.
“We found it really difficult,” Walch said.
“On one hand we really wanted to play this year, and we really felt from the beginning of pre-season we had the opportunity to have a go and win the premiership.
“However, the safety of our club was paramount; for our women that play, the coaching staff, and our volunteers and football community which help make us run so efficiently.
“That’s was the baseline of the decision we made.”
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“We had a lot of conversation, Lucy, myself, Ally (Ballard), and Fiona (Powle),” Lowe added.
“There were a couple video link-ups, where we discussed the pros and cons, how we could put a plan in place to be COVID safe.
“But ultimately it came down to numbers.
“We had about 10 or 11 players committed to play, which would make it hard.
“We're gutted for the players though, they put so much hard work into the pre-season and were ready to go.”
Lowe said he was not surprised to find other clubs in the same boat when it came time to vote on the season.
“Your Shepparton and Echuca sides have got more numbers, but the smaller clubs would struggle financially and getting up a COVID-officer, whoever it is going to be,” he said.
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Walch said the unprecedented disruption COVID-19 inflicted on local football had been difficult to adapt to, though the club was content with how things played out at the league level.
“At the end of the day, we’re sad it couldn’t go ahead, but we’re very grateful for being a part of the process and to be able to communicate with the league and ensure our voices were heard,” she said.
In what would have been Walch and fellow coach Russell Lowe’s first season in charge, both coaches remain hopeful of opportunities to hold an alternate competition later in the year, with Walch and Lowe suggesting a round-robin style of play could work.
“We are hoping for some sort of round-robin tournament if towards the end of year restrictions lift,” Walch said.
“But that will be all down to with whether or not the wider community is safe.”
Until then the club will look to hold social events to keep the playing bonds strong.
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“The next couple months we'll definitely be keeping in touch with everyone,” Lowe said.
“We'll look at what activities we can do - if AFL games open to crowds we can put an invite out so we're still socialising with the ladies.”
And when the time comes to kick off the 2021 pre-season, Walch and Lowe said a plan would be in place so the team could hit the ground running.
“Me and Russell are looking forward to next year,” Walch said.
“It’s a shame we didn’t get an opportunity this year, though we totally understand why, but we’re absolutely raring to go for 2021.”
League chairman Chris Thomas said the NCWL’s focus would now turn to the 2021 season.
“By providing some certainty for 2020 season, even though it is not great news, it frees the NCWL community up to plan ahead, with such things as pre-season competitions, Come and Try sessions, and high energy activities, to cater for the increasing interest in Women’s and Girls Football,” Thomas said.
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