The Victorian COVID-19 lockdown — mark V — has lifted, bringing about the return of community sport in the Goulburn Valley and its surrounding regions.
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But continued coronavirus restrictions will hamper the viability of all sporting codes returning immediately — especially senior football and netball action.
From Wednesday, July 28, indoor physical recreation and sporting facilities will have a cap of 100 patrons and outside venues 300.
Group limits of 10 people apply, as do density quotients of one person per four square metres.
But all community sport is limited to the number of people required to participate in and facilitate the activity — with no spectators allowed.
Parents, guardians, coaches, instructors, umpires, carers and teachers necessary to the running of the event do not count as spectators.
Further complicating the situation for dual-state competitions is the shrinking of the Victoria-New South Wales cross-border bubble.
Victoria has removed the City of Wagga Wagga, Hay Shire Council, Lockhart Shire Council and Murrumbidgee Council from the initiative and placed them in the Extreme Risk Zone — meaning a specific permit is required for residents of those areas to enter Victoria.
Jerilderie is among the towns in the Murrumbidgee Council, but clubs like Deniliquin, Blighty, Finley, Berrigan and Rennie will undoubtedly have members, players or volunteers who also reside in the now extreme risk areas.
So what does it all mean for community sport in the region?
Leagues and associations are meeting this week to decide exactly that.
Picola District Football Netball League set a meeting for last night, Goulburn Valley League will meet tonight and Kyabram District League is in continued discussions with its clubs.
The GVL and KDL have shown a reluctance to resume play without crowds on the tail-end of previous lockdowns, while Murray Football Netball League has already called off this weekend of matches.
“Due to ongoing Victorian Government restrictions, the Murray FNL executive and clubs have decided to cancel scheduled games for July 31,” a league statement said.
“The Murray FNL executive will continue to monitor the situation and take the time to assess all options from here.
“We encourage all players to continue training with the intention to resume the home and away season as soon as possible.
“Finals dates will not change. The Murray FNL remains committed to playing the grand final on September 18.”
Murray league general manager Dale Norman expressed his frustration after Tuesday's announcement, saying his competition is "suffocating" under trying caveats attached to the return of community sport.
“I just find it absolutely insane,” Norman said.
“It's like riding with an elephant on your back. We're slowly suffocating — it's just insane.”
When lockdowns have previously been initially lifted, junior sporting organisations like Shepparton District Junior Football League, Shepparton Junior Soccer Association and Shepparton Netball Association have wasted no time in resuming.
This is expected again, but will be confirmed later in the week.
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Goulburn Valley Hockey Association action is also a strong chance to return, while Bendigo Amateur Soccer League remains up in the air at the time of writing.
Big V basketball and National Premier League soccer updates will follow in due course as well.
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