SANFL STATEMENT: RESUMPTION OF TRAINING AND MATCHES

Tuesday 27 July

SANFL wishes to advise that football training for State League and all community football can resume from tomorrow, Wednesday July 28, following the State Government’s announcement today of easing of restrictions in relation to sport.

SANFL Chief Executive Officer Darren Chandler said the League also was planning to have competitions back up and running on the weekend of August 7-8 in line with State Government directions.

He said the League was still working through contingency plans with SANFL Clubs and Adelaide and Port Adelaide football clubs and seeking further clarification on details around spectators, Covid Management Plans and the requirement for masks before announcing any details on SANFL State League fixtures.

Further announcements on the SANFL Statewide Super League fixture were expected to be announced later this week.

“It’s great to have footy training back this week and we’re really hopeful that if everything keeps going well with the low level of COVID-19 community transmission, then we can have matches back on the weekend of August 7,” he said.

“We have various contingency plans in place and now that we have some direction on the easing of restrictions we can keep moving forward with our planning and discussions with participating clubs.”

SANFL Community Football also is continuing to assist metro and regional affiliated leagues with regards to rescheduling of matches and the possibility of extending their seasons.

SANFL also would provide further details to all National Pharmacies SANFL Juniors clubs with regards to the resumption of training and matches, with announcements in the coming days on how the season will be completed.

Mr Chandler said the South Australian football community had demonstrated strong leadership in the delivery of protocols to safeguard against COVID-19 over the past 15 months and would continue to do so in the current environment.

“Over the past year or more, we’ve seen our SANFL Clubs and community football clubs across the state and their passionate volunteers rise to the challenge of undertaking a safe return to training under strict guidelines and protocols,” he said.

“The League and football community has significant trust and respect from the State Government and SA Health.

“Our clubs can therefore feel very confident that by continuing to follow the protocols and guidelines for a return to training and matches after the lockdown they can provide the best possible environment for our players, coaches, volunteers, umpires and wider football community.”