AFL Outer East wishes to provide the following updates on a return to Football and Netball.
Senior Football and Netball
With the Melbourne lockdown continuing until Thursday September 2nd, senior football and netball will not proceed on the weekend of September 4th and 5th as the agreed training block required for clubs to play will not be achieved.
As per our return to play roadmap, we will now move to the next phase of the road map, which is the top four (4) scenario on the 11th and 12th September, as outlined below.
TOTALLY WORKWEAR BERWICK & KNOXFIELD PREMIER DIVISION
If lockdown ends by September 6th
September 11: Semi Finals
September 18: Grand Finals
If lockdown hasn’t ended by September 13th
TBC: A Grand Final (1v2) will only be played, with the latest completion date for these to be the 9th October 2021.
The Premier Division U19’s fixtures will be aligned to these days.
HALLAM & BAYSWATER TRUCK CENTRES DIVISION ONE
If lockdown ends by September 6th
September 12: Semi Finals
September 19: Grand Finals
If lockdown hasn’t ended by September 13th
TBC: A Grand Final (1v2) will only be played, with the latest completion date for these to be 10th October 2021.
The Division One U19’s fixtures will be aligned to these dates.
ATC TRAFFIC DIVISION TWO
If lockdown ends by September 6th
September 11: Semi Finals
September 18: Grand Finals
If lockdown hasn’t ended by September 13th
TBC: A Grand Final (1v2) will only be played, with the latest completion date for these to be the 9-10-21.
The U17 Saturday boys fixtures will be aligned to these dates.
Junior Football and Netball
A decision on junior football and netball will be made early next week, following consultation with clubs.
Moving Forward
The agreed roadmap forward will continue to be utilised and our desire remains to complete the 2021 season. However, we are mindful that the current COVID-19 case numbers are not trending the way we would like. With that in mind, we will begin another period of consultation with clubs over the next week looking at all scenarios, including of the worst-case scenario of no further competitions being resumed.
We will work with all clubs to begin planning and assessing various scenarios should we not be able to return from lockdown. A survey will go out to all clubs shortly which will allow them to provide us with feedback.
Thank you
We would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every Outer East “Community Bank” participant, whether a player, coach, team official, parent or club official for all their efforts and patience as we look to provide a completion to season 2021.
We will continue to work with all clubs to provide both closure to 2021 and in preparation to bounce back strongly in season 2022.
