Picola League sets season start goal

It will followed by a top eight four week final series.

‘‘This decision follows consideration of club feedback, federal and state government advice and consultation with AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria, all of whom have expressed continued support and encouragement for community sport to recommence,’’ Brooks said.

‘‘We would emphasise that the PDFNL will not be running ahead of advice from health officials in our efforts to return to play. 

‘‘We will continue to monitor updates to health guidelines and government regulations with the continued easing of restrictions to ensure compliance with their requirements, and that we are operating in the best interests of our clubs and members.’’

The PDFNL announced its proposed start date just before 1pm yesterday.

The Murray Football Netball League is still yet to make an announcement on its season.

Meanwhile, Netball Australia confirmed the 2020 Deakin University Australian Netball League (DUANL) season has been cancelled due to financial pressures and inconsistent restrictions on training and matches.

Eastern Football League and Northern Football League, both based in suburban Melbourne, have cancelled their seasons.

Even before yesterday’s announcement, PDFNL clubs had already made the decision to return to training.

Clubs were given the green light to resume training as of June 1. Only 20 players are allowed on the oval at any given time, completing non-contact drills and in clusters of no more than 10.

Regular social distancing requirements apply.

Blighty Football Club has already resumed training, and senior coach Daniel Kirchen said a potential season start date will be the extra motivation to work on skills and fitness.

‘‘It’s good news and we’re looking forward to the return of football; it will be good to get back to normality,’’ Kirchen said.

‘‘It’s just good to be getting back together and having a catch-up and kick around,’’ reserves coach Kyel Bain added.

Blighty Netball Club met after the Pastoral Times went to print to make decisions on training.

Mathoura Netball coordinator Jarrod Thomas said the club is ready to start training again but will need to plan their return.

‘‘Our A-grade will continue to do the training programs individually,’’ Thomas said.

‘‘We are really trying to get juniors involved first. 

‘‘As a club we want our juniors to have games under the belt, especially with many of them playing their last year as a junior before moving into open divisions.’’

Similarly, Mathoura Football senior coach Darcy Robinson said the football players are taking on individual training sessions.

‘‘We are not going to do any official training as per new guidelines,’’ Robinson said. 

‘‘We are having our players complete the individual and two person training sessions to stay active.

‘‘The programs are working and the players are happy to keep doing them.

‘‘We have a pretty tight knit group so we’re not too worried about losing time spent not training as a team.

‘‘Our goal and an utmost focus to us is for our juniors. We have to get them going first and foremost.

‘‘I can’t speak for other clubs but we are financially stable enough to do a season at the moment but we are still wary of the impact on clubs for next year and future years.’’

Deniliquin Rovers netball A-grade coach Deanne Stevens said her sides were back on the court last week.

‘‘We had a really good turn up between our A grade and Under 17s last week,’’ Stevens said.

‘‘The girls were pleased to get back together, they hadn’t lost a step with fitness either so it was good to see they were doing individualised training during Coronavirus lockdown.’’

Rovers football coach Alex Hay said having a date to work toward will allow the club to ‘‘ramp up its training’’.

‘‘I think it’s a good outcome, we have a core of local blokes who are keen to get going,’’ Hay said.

‘‘We started restricted training last week but will have to call a few more blokes from out of the woodwork to join in.’’