After months of negotiations, dozens of meetings and several delays, the Victorian amateur football association has finally pulled the needle for the 2020 season.
Foxfooty.com.au believes the call was made at an emergency meeting on Wednesday evening. The board concluded that the health and financial impact did not outweigh the benefits of a nine game home and away campaign.
The VAFA, which attracted more than 10,000 players, referees, coaches and volunteers, didn’t leave the door open until August 1st, but recent Victorian government decisions meant that the organization’s upcoming Monday meeting instead took place on Wednesday.
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Holy Stars, a Camel & Katy
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VAFA is believed to have hundreds of players and referees living in the COVID-19 hotspots, making a season even more difficult. Uncertainty about the amount, insurance, post-game features, and overall lack of community is believed to have been a factor in playing games without supporters.
The VAFA, which does not allow player payments, joins dozens of other leagues around Victoria to end their season.
More than 40 have officially canceled their senior season. Before Wednesday, the AFL Outer East, Southern and VAFA were the only leagues that have yet to return to match dates.
Foxfooty.com.au For the first time, it was reported that the Eastern and Northern football leagues would not continue on June 3, while several other organizations have followed suit since then.
The previous Wednesday, St. Bernard’s Football Club announced it was likely to boycott the 2020 season if it were to take place.
The clubs were allowed to train in the VAFA for almost a month, and many hoped for a season. However, a recent surge in positive COVID-19 results effectively meant that the Victorian government had chosen VAFA.
The VAFA always said it was headed by the health authorities and was ready to wait until July 6th to make a final call.
A revised VFL is carried out, but with eight teams and only seven home and away rounds.
It is scheduled to start on August 1st.
The participating clubs are Box Hill, Casey Demons, Coburg, Frankston, Port Melbourne, Sandringham, Werribee and Williamstown.
Steele & Dunn break the rules
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CANCELED LOCAL FOOTBALL VICTORIAN LEAGUE
Alberton, Central Highlands, Central Murray, East Gippsland, Ellinbank, Gippsland, Golden Rivers, Hampden, Horsham District, Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara, Kyabram District, Loddon Valley, Mallee, Maryborough Castlemaine, Middle Gippsland, Mellwa, Mininera District , North-Central, North Gippsland, Ovens & King, Picola District, Riddell District, Sunraysia, South West District, Upper Murray, Warrnambool District, West Gippsland District, Western Border, Wimmera, VAFA
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