AFL Victoria and Cricket Victoria have reached an agreement about fixturing models for community sport.
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While any commencement of local football and cricket seasons is subject to the further easing of COVID-19 restrictions, the aim of the agreement is to provide flexibility and options for leagues, associations and clubs to explore various fixturing models to be able to deliver a 2020 season.
The agreement won't be required for central Victoria should all football leagues cancel their seasons.
The Bendigo, Loddon Valley, North Central and Bendigo Junior leagues have meetings in the next fortnight where their next steps will be discussed.
The key agreement outcomes between AFL Victoria and Cricket Victoria were:
- Football will have priority use access to fixture competitions up to no later than the following:
- Home and away football fixtures for seniors and juniors to conclude on or before Sunday, September 27;
- Finals (or 'lightning premierships') for juniors to conclude on or before Sunday, October 11; and
- Finals fixtures for seniors to conclude on or before Sunday, October 18.
Junior cricket competitions in central Victoria can start from Friday, October 16, while all other senior competitions can hit-off from Friday, October 23.
Where community football competitions choose to not commence their season, or have completed their season by the end of September, aricket associations shall retain priority flexibility to schedule matches from October 1.
Most combined football and cricket grounds across the state will have a 3-4 week break between football matches finishing and cricket matches starting to adequately prepare the wickets and hand over the facility between local clubs.
The agreement comes following consultation with the Victorian Government and key football and cricket stakeholders including local municipalities across the state who help to ensure football and cricket grounds are available.
Read more: Catch up on all the latest local sport news
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