Covid-19 Update – Friday August 20, 2021

The NSW Government announced yesterday an extension of the stay at home orders for Regional NSW which affects the AFL Central West competition from continuing as scheduled.

During this time of uncertainty, the AFL Central West league are working tirelessly to continue the season and support the participation of our game across all grades in a safe and responsible manner. When the Public Health Order permits us, the league’s advice is for clubs to plan to play, and we will alter this when health advice requires us to do so.

The league’s plan is simple and is outlined below. We have three weeks to complete our junior and senior seasons, of which we require 2 available weeks to complete the current finals structure.

 

Guiding Principles:

1. The AFL is committed to providing a safe and meaningful end to the AFL Central West Competition
2. AFL Central West has determined Saturday September 18 as the cut-off date for the completion of the senior season and Sunday September 12 as the cut-off date for the completion of the junior season

 

Junior Football:

Start Date – Sunday August 29

Finish Date – Sunday September 12

Details:

1. 2nd vs 3rd to be played on the first available date following the easing of the current NSW Health restrictions
2. 1st has the week off and is through to the Grand Final. The league recommend that this team plays some form of match simulation on August 29. This could be in the form of
   • A scratch match against (or by creating two even teams with) the 4th placed side
   • An intra-club match with reduced on field players
3. Winner of 2 vs 3 plays the minor premiers the next available week

Notes:

1. Teams can forfeit their place in finals should they not wish to resume. The next available team (based on ladder position) will replace them
2. If unable to play preliminary finals, we will schedule a 1 vs 2 Grand Final to complete the season

 

Senior Football:

Start Date – Saturday September 4

Finish Date – Saturday September 18

Details:

1. 2nd vs 3rd to be played on the first available date following the easing of the current NSW Health restrictions
2. 1st has the week off and is through to the Grand Final. The league recommend that this team plays some form of match simulation on August 29. This could be in the form of
   • A scratch match against (or by creating two even teams with) the 4th placed side (or any subsequent team which has missed finals)
   • An intra-club match with reduced on field players
3. Winner of 2 vs 3 plays the minor premiers the next available week

Notes:

1. The league have extended the senior season to allow additional return to play lead in time for the seniors. Should clubs require an extension to this lead in time, the league will resume on September 11. In this instance, there would be no flexibility should a round be locked out
2. Teams can forfeit their place in finals should they not wish to resume. The next available team (based on ladder position) will replace them
3. If stay at home orders are extended until the weekend of September 4/5, return to play practices will not permit formal competition matches on September 11. In this instance, 1 vs 2 will be scheduled to complete the season in a Grand Final on September 18.

 

Completing the season

Throughout the 2021 AFL Central West finals series, the league will follow the health advice and the Public Health Order in its entirety. If the health advice deems community sport unfit to resume, then we will continue to postpone the competition. This season has been a challenging one for our players, club administrators and volunteers. The league hope that by finishing this season we are able to celebrate and recognise our people’s efforts.

The league will not act ahead of the health advice and make determinations on an upcoming round based on community speculation. We will continue to be optimistic, and strive to play matches where it is safe to do so.

We hope everyone continues to stay safe, and supports each other during this difficult time. Whilst we await the resumption of the season, there are two things players can do:

1. Remember that the lack of social connection created by lockdown can pose a challenge to some people’s wellbeing, so start a conversation with team mates and make sure they’re OK. For information on how to have this conversation, click here.
2. Be physically ready to get back into playing as soon as the lockdown lifts. Advice from experts in AFL strength and conditioning recommend running three times per week (allowed under the lockdown). This includes directional changes and speed variations, and kicking a footy several times per week.

READ: Orange Tigers go from strength to strength as all junior teams make finals

The league acknowledge that the past few weeks/months have been stressful for many within our clubs. We hope that this can create some level of certainty around the season, and gives everyone something to look forward to as we emerge from lockdown. We are thinking of everyone in Dubbo, Mudgee and other Central West communities currently severely impacted, and are hopeful that we can return to normality sooner rather than later.

Thank you to everyone involved in each of our seven clubs who has supported this process. Your efforts are not going unnoticed.

 

Stay Safe,

 

Casey White

Competition & Development Coordinator – Central West

 

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