Northern NSW Football, its seven (7) member Zones and Clubs are continuing to work together to plan the resumption of community football, positioning the sport to commence after the Federal and State Government health authorities deem it safe.
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement that the National Cabinet had agreed to principles in relation to sport, Northern NSW Football CEO David Eland said Northern NSW Football & Football NSW are collaborating to develop a set of guidelines that will support the commencement of community football as soon as possible across the state.
“Northern NSW Football and Football NSW have already commenced working together with our Member Zones and Club delegates to develop state-wide guidelines and recommendations to assist guide clubs and participants to get back on the park.
“This is certainly a step forward for community football, we’re all looking forward to the day football may resume,” said Eland.
Northern NSW Football has continuously monitored developments and has been in constant contact with FFA and Governments to ensure that we will only return to the field when it is deemed safe to do so.
“We recognise that participants in Northern NSW Football administered competitions and those implemented by our seven (7) Member Zones are eager to know that football will be ready to recommence and that will happen once health authorities give the go ahead.
“Playing football will provide significant social and mental health benefits to our participants and we will be ready to go at the earliest possible opportunity.
Northern NSW will continue to monitor any changes made by the NSW Government in relation to the NSW Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020 which is currently preventing sport from being conducted and expires at midnight on 29 June 2020.
Eland said Northern NSW Football, its Zones and Clubs had also engaged with local Councils, summer sporting organisations and other users of venues to discuss an extension of time for football to use facilities.
“Football, like other winter sports, uses multi-use venues, impacting 70,000 football players across northern NSW alone.
Many Councils have been sympathetic to the impact and we are working closely with our Zones and other sports in relation to moving the transition date from Winter to Summer sports back, to be fair for all sports.”
Whilst the exact date of return to play relies on the lifting of Government restrictions, Northern NSW, its Zones and Clubs are working on a series of scenarios and competition formats that is focused on providing as much football opportunities as possible in the time frame that the sport will have at its disposal.
Eland thanks the broader football community and its many players, families, officials, administrators, sponsors and volunteers.
“What has been particularly pleasing is how everyone has worked together and supported our actions and recommendations to address this pandemic.
“I am confident football will come out the other end of this more united.”
Northern NSW Football supports the Australian Government’s COVIDSafe app as part of their plan to slow the spread of COVID-19. The app, launched by the Federal Government, will help state and territory health officials to quickly alert people who may be at risk of having contact with the virus.
In order to help the grassroots football community, stay active and connected throughout the temporary suspension period, FFA recently launched an online Skills Hub, developed in association with each of Australia’s nine Member Federations.
To access the Skills Hub and get involved with the #PlayAtHomeChallenge, please visit www.playfootball.com.au/skills-hub
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