Thursday, 8.20pm
The round one LVFNL clashes between Maiden Gully YCW and Mitiamo were tonight returned to the Marist College Oval after they were moved due to the state of the ground.
In a statement, Loddon Valley Football Netball League said the decision to transfer the matches back to the original venue had been made in consultation with the Maiden Gully YCW Eagles and the Mitiamo Football Netball Club executives and coaches.
The league said while the change might cause some confusion, it assured the community that the surface of Marist College Oval was suitable for play.
The fixture was originally moved after the oval was "deemed unsuitable", with later clarification from the LVFNL that the presence of "abrasive" sand was a risk. The clash had been moved to John Forbes Oval at Mitiamo.
Chairman of the LVFNL, Simon Tuohey, said in the release the City of Greater Bendigo council had worked tirelessly to address the concerns with the ground surface and to ensure that the football matches could proceed on the oval.
Mr Tuohey said the round one clash between the teams should provide a great spectacle for attendees.
As a result of the change, the round 10 match on June 15 between Mitiamo and Maiden Gully YCW would revert to the John Forbes Oval, Mitiamo.
Thursday, 3.09pm
Loddon Valley Football Netball League says the decision to move the round one match from Marist College to John Forbes Oval at Mitiamo was made in the "best interest of all involved".
LVFNL chair Simon Tuohey said the league conducted an analysis of the ground prior to the decision.
"We do our due diligence to make sure the grounds are in top condition before games," Mr Tuohey said.
"My son plays football for Maiden Gully YCW and I saw the oval last Thursday night - it looks as if they have topped the oval with sand.
"As a footballer, when you're playing on sand it can be quite abrasive when you land on it."
"If it rained it would be fine."
LVNFL made the decision to change venues for the round one match on Tuesday night.
"I've seen the condition of Mitiamo's ground, and it's beautiful."
"In the best interest of all involved, we swapped the venue of the game."
"The decision was made with both of the football clubs."
As a result of the change, the round 10 match between Maiden Gully YCW and Mitiamo will be played at Marist College.
"We're looking forward to hosting games on the Marist oval in the coming rounds," Mr Tuohey said.
Wednesday, 6.46pm
Marist College Bendigo's oval won't host an opening round football match this Saturday after it was "deemed unsuitable" by the Loddon Valley Football Netball League.
But the City of Greater Bendigo - managers of the facility - said it wasn't consulted about the decision to pull the game and had prepared the ground for the clash between Maiden Gully YCW and Mitiamo.
Marist College principal Darren McGregor described the ground as being in "wonderful condition".
The LVFNL board, in a press release, said the change of venue was due to the surface of the oval being "deemed unsuitable", but would not explain further.
City of Greater Bendigo facilities coordinator Amy Johnson said "the city has prepared the ground in preparation for this weekend's match."
"The ground has an even cover of weed free couch which has recently been over sown with fine leaf rye (yet to germinate)," she said.
"It's receiving 36-40 mm of irrigation per week and moisture levels are sufficient for good plant health."
Marist College had also been unaware of the decision to move the game ahead of time.
"The first I knew of the change of venue was when I woke up this morning and read about the association moving the match because of the surface of our oval," Mr McGregor said.
"I'm certainly not a turf expert - but it's in a wonderful condition."
Mr McGregor said the college held an athletics carnival on the oval and had no issues.
"We had a sporting carnival with 350 children on it yesterday and they had a fantastic day with no complaints," he said. "It's a beautiful ground."
Council has no concerns about any of its other sports fields for the coming season.
"COGB is confident that all competition sports fields are ready for the coming season, most have already hosted practice matches over the last couple of weekends," Ms Johnson said.
"We continue to work with leagues and associations in relation to scheduling and repair works as required throughout the season on sports fields."
The game venue for the match between Maiden Gully YCW and Mitiamo has been changed to John Forbes Oval at Mitiamo.
As a result of the change, the round 10 match between Maiden Gully YCW and Mitiamo will be played at Marist College.
Read more about the two clubs in the Bendigo Advertiser's LVFNL season preview.
Love country footy?: BENDIGO ADDY FOOTY CHALLENGE - Pick your stable of 12 teams
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Wednesday, 1.20pm
Marist College principal Darren McGregor said the surface of the oval was currently in a "wonderful condition".
"The first I knew of the change of venue was when I woke up this morning and read about the association moving ground because of the surface of our oval," Mr McGregor said.
"I'm certainly not a turf expert - but it's in a wonderful condition.
The facility is the home to Maiden Gully YCW FNC and the Maiden Gully Cricket Club and is shared with the college.
Mr McGregor said the college held an athletics carnival on the oval and had no issues.
"We had a sporting carnival with 350 children on it yesterday and they had a fantastic day with no complaints," he said.
"It's a beautiful ground."
Earlier
The venue for the round one Loddon Valley Football Netball League match between Maiden Gully YCW and Mitiamo has been changed due to an "unsuitable" surface.
The game was due to be played at Marist College at Maiden Gully this Saturday but has been changed to John Forbes Oval at Mitiamo.
Love country footy?: BENDIGO ADDY FOOTY CHALLENGE - Pick your stable of 12 teams
In a media release, the LVFNL board acknowledged the inconvenience and apologised for the change of venue.
As a result of the change, the round 10 match between Maiden Gully YCW and Mitiamo will be played at Marist College.
Read more about the two clubs in the Bendigo Advertiser's LVFNL season preview.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.
