VWFL COVID-19 UPDATE as at 18 March 2020
The Victorian Wheelchair Football League (VWFL) would like to issue the following statement regarding the Coronavirus (COVID 19) and the impact on the upcoming season.
The health and well-being of players, umpires, officials, volunteers and communities is and has been our number one priority. We are determined to be part of the whole of community response to slow this COVID-19 virus down – and in doing so, help the broader community and our health systems to cope.
Following the below advice from the AFL, in line with recommendations for Community Football over the past 48 hours, the VWFL season will be delayed until following 31 May 2020. The League puts the welfare of all participants and volunteers at the forefront of all decisions and will take all necessary precautions to ensure a safe environment is provided to all, as well as being part of the whole of community response to slow this COVID-19 virus down.
As such, the decision has been made to postpone the season, originally scheduled to start on Sunday 24 May, until Sunday 14 June, following the Queen’s Birthday Weekend. The VWFL will assess options to amend the fixture in the coming weeks and will be in touch with each AFL Club to discuss the situation in more detail.
This decision includes the postponement of the following until after 31 May 2020:
- VWFL matches and practise matches
- VWFL club training sessions
- face to face VWFL education courses, club meetings and other events that would occur through this time period
- Trials and initiatives associated with the Toyota Wheelchair AFL National Championships (postponed until October/November 2020)
We understand the uncertainty of this situation is causing some distress and anxiety to your players as we await further guidance. We apologise for any distress the situation has caused, and will ensure we provide clubs with as much information as we have available, as soon as it becomes available. It’s important we maintain a consistent approach to communicating this messaging which is as follows; AFL Victoria to communicate with AFL Club Delegates, AFL Club Delegates to communicate with Players and their Families as appropriate. As you can imagine we have understandably begun to get many enquiries from players, which we will direct towards Club Delegates to respond to maintain this consistency.
Thank you for your understanding as we navigate this unprecedented and unexpected situation. The safety of the community is our number one priority, and the VWFL will continue to work with the AFL and the relevant government authorities to keep clubs informed of the current state of play.
National Statement
A note to the AFL football community,
The health and well-being of fans, players, umpires, officials, partners, volunteers and communities has been our number one priority.
We are determined to be part of the whole of community response to slow this COVID-19 virus down – and in doing so, help the broader community and our health systems to cope.
Following a series of meetings over the last number of days involving the AFL and all State and Territory CEOs, recommendations have been made in relation to Community football.
Consistent with the decision yesterday in relation to State League football and the national and state talent programs, all AFL and AFL State association managed or operated leagues along with the NAB AFL Auskick Centres programs currently operating or set to begin, will be postponed until 31st May 2020.
The AFL is also strongly recommending that independently governed junior and senior leagues and associations postpone the commencement and/or operation of their leagues/associations until the same date.
This decision and recommendation covers AFL community matches, AFL community training sessions and face to face AFL, WAFC and SANFL education courses.
Given the current climate of uncertainty and complexity, we felt it was best for our AFL community to take decisive action now.
The recommendation was collectively agreed upon based on the nature of shared public facilities across community football clubs and the health and safety of our volunteer network.
The AFL and AFL State and Territory Associations are committed to supporting community football during this time.
We are a game, but we are not the main game.
The main game is looking after the community and that is the clear priority for everyone at the moment. For football families like all families.
It is paramount that support and engagement in community football continues during these times. It is vital players, coaches, administrators, supporters, sponsors, volunteers and kids retain close links to their local clubs, Auskick Centres and wider league network.
The AFL will continue to meet with state and territory associations in relation to community football and will continually review this decision based on the changing circumstances and advice from government and relevant health departments and medical experts. We will communicate any updates and provide advice in a timely manner.
Football has had many challenges and despite the size of this one, football will find a way through.
[ends]
Last Modified on 20/03/2020 15:38