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THE AFL Central Victoria Regional Administration Centre is continuing to operate at a reduced capacity through the coronoavirus crisis that has put this season's football-netball competitions in jeopardy.
Earlier this week the Ballarat-based AFL Goldfields announced the closure of its RAC until business is able to reopen once football-netball resumes.
The AFLCV RAC is still open, but remaining staff who are all now working remotely due to the closing of the office will do so on reduced hours starting from Monday until May 22 before there will be a reassessment.
"With announcements over recent days (regarding the standing down of football-related positions), we understand there is a growing level of uncertainty with the postponement of our season across all levels of the game. These are unprecedented and constantly developing times," AFLCV regional manager Carol Cathcart wrote to clubs on Friday.
"As have many businesses, AFL Central Victoria has also been affected, resulting in some changes to staffing.
"The remaining members of our team will be working two days per week, so please be patient as they may take longer than usual to respond to your calls and emails.
"During this time our staff are working remotely and the AFL Central Victoria office will be closed. I will keep all our clubs informed regarding any further changes depending on how the situation unfolds."
After six years working with AFLCV, Friday was administration co-ordinator Amy Kenyon's final day in the role.
"I started as a trainee in February 2014; an 18-year-old girl freshly out of Year 12 who had no experience and no idea about life. I am leaving with so much knowledge thanks to the wonderful team of people I have been lucky to work with," Kenyon said.
"I can honestly say I have been so blessed to meet so many amazing people and I am so grateful for the opportunities this job has given me."
Meanwhile, league managers will be making contact with clubs from next week canvassing their concerns as a result of the uncertainty around the 2020 season.
At this stage seasons are suspended until at least May 31 - as is AusKick - while clubs are on hiatus from all football-netball activities, including training and practice matches, until further notified.
"One of the things our league managers will be working on over the next week will be getting in touch with their clubs and helping them with their finances and listening to any concerns and issues they may have," Cathcart said.
"We're trying to do the best we can to help our clubs navigate through the other side of this.
"I think the clubs are in the same position as most businesses at the moment and that's trying to get through this the best way they can.
"We will endeavour to salvage a season in our region the best way we possibly can for our leagues this year, but for the meantime what is most important is people's health and wellbeing."
FULL STATEMENT FROM AFL CENTRAL VICTORIA:
To our Valued Football Community,
I hope this note finds you and your family safe and well in an incredibly challenging time for us all. With announcements over recent days, we understand there is a growing level of uncertainty with the postponement of our season across all levels of the game. These are unprecedented and constantly developing times.
As has many businesses, AFL Central Victoria have also been affected, resulting in some changes to staffing with Sharon McColl standing down temporarily and Amy Kenyon finishing today. League managers will be available, but please direct all North Central Football League and Bendigo Umpire Association enquires to Carol Cathcart and Central Victorian Football League Women to Norm Sheahan. Temporarily, from Monday, March 30, until Friday, May 22, 2020, the remaining members of our team will be working two days per week, so please be patient as they may take longer than usual to respond to your calls and emails. During this time our staff are working remotely, and the AFL Central Victoria Office will be closed. I will keep all our clubs informed regarding any further changes depending on how the situation unfolds.
AFL Victoria has made the decision to temporarily stand down many of AFL Victoria's staff from Monday, March 30, 2020, until Sunday, May 31, 2020. Unfortunately, the temporary stand down applies to our Football Development Managers, Jake McLean and Daniel Reid.
Please remember the number one priority is your health and wellbeing, keep in mind that many of our football community are directly affected with job losses and trying to manage education through these trying times. Keep in touch with your football community and provide support where you can.
There should be no organised training. Please abide by the current protocols around social distancing and ensure that any fitness work is carried out in accordance to the health and safety guidelines. The leagues will endeavour to salvage a season and we can only hope and plan for this, but it is more important that everyone stays healthy.
The AFL has prepared a set of Q&As that are available on play.afl and shared on our social media channels that will hopefully address many of your questions surrounding community football.
I am so proud of our team and the work we do and look forward to catching up at the footy/netball in the future. Please look after yourself and your family and friends in these times, and we will update you with any changes.
Regards,
Carol Cathcart
Region General Manager
AFL Central Victoria
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