But the COVID-19 pandemic, of course, put paid to the season’s commencement.
Earlier this week, the Victorian Government decided to allow competitive senior football to return from July 20 but the return to play protocols remain unclear with crowd numbers being the main issue for a viable return.
The good news is Ovens and Murray clubs will be able to start contact training from July 13 as well as re-opening changerooms and showers.
“Today’s Victorian Government’s announcements are another step in the right direction to allow the Ovens and Murray to commence,” league chairman David Sinclair said upon hearing the news.
“We still need further detail around gathering restrictions to ensure a return to play can be achieved in a sustainable way.
“We’ll wait for before consulting clubs with a view to having a decision made by the end of June.”
Senior Roos’ football coach Marc Almond said the club is hoping the O and M can do all they can about commencing the season and to have crowds.
“Crowds are a big stumbling block. It’d be disappointing if the government didn’t lift crowd restrictions – there’s 25 per cent attendance in AFL stadiums with a capacity crowd of 40,000 and it’s be pretty disappointing if we weren’t allowed 500,” he told The Free Press.
“We’re ready to play. We’ve been training for a few weeks and the players’ mind-set has changed from being in limbo to ‘we’re going to play’. Everything we’re doing is that we’re going to play.”
Senior netball coach Georgie Bruce said her netballers are remaining positive about a season start.
“We’re into our fourth week of training so we’re obviously preparing ourselves ready to play,” she said.
“Obviously we’re waiting on government about crowd size but we are remaining positive.”
Corowa Cougars will welcome further news too and say the opening up of gymnasiums is a step in the right direction.
Corowa Rugby Club secretary Glenn Webb said players are still training as individuals with no formal training at their home ground at this stage.
Corowa Rutherglen United Hockey Club President Shannon Beacom said Hockey Albury Wodonga is set to have senior games start on July 11 and junior matches on July 17.
“It’s a bit unfortunate the games can only be played in NSW,” he said.
“But it’s good for our club – we’ll get a few more home games. Training hasn’t returned for our club as it wasn’t considered fair on our coaches to not only train players but to police the COVID-19 restrictions with no physical contact.”
The government announcement on June 22 is also keenly awaited by hockey players which should see them back into full contact training.
“We’re still in a strong position team-wise,” the president said. “Ten out of our 12 teams will be ready to start.” Two junior sides will miss whatever happens in 2020.
