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AFL Central Victoria can now target a much earlier start than it had been envisaging for its junior players after the green light was given for 18-and-under sport to return to competition later this month.
Before Sunday's announcement by the state government AFLCV regional operations manager Norm Sheehan said it was hoped the Bendigo Junior Football League could be back up and running for a shortened season in late July.
However, the state government announced on Sunday that sport for participants 18 years and younger could resume full contact training and competition on June 22.
"We've still got a lot to go through, but we'll definitely be rolling something out this year," Sheehan said.
"We think for retention rates in the game it's really important that we get some form of a season up for our younger players.
"The main point though is that whatever we get up for the junior players in terms of a season, it has to be safe."
The BJFL has age groups ranging from under-9s through to under-18 girls across 22 clubs.
As part of Sport Australia's return to community sport guidelines released last month, just one parent will be permitted to attend their children's games, while high-fives, handshakes and huddles have been banned.
"Whatever we do in terms of the length of a season, we've got to be mindful of cricket and when that starts and what grounds would be available, particularly if the BFNL season gets up," Sheehan said.
"If the BFNL season doesn't get up then it would allow us access to more grounds for junior games... if there was no senior training then it could open up the possibilities of things like games on a Wednesday night."
Sheehan says the option of playing games midweek would be of major benefit given there won't be the same scope as usual for multiple junior games at the one venue to minimise the crossover of teams.
"There's going to be less games per venue because we're going to need more space in between... we won't be able to do six or seven games in a row at the same ground with five minute breaks in between.
"We're going to need a gap of at least 30-40 minutes, so they are all the logistics we're looking at. We're really keen to do what we can to get something up for the juniors and give them that sporting outlet and the opportunity to be active."
Meanwhile, the Victorian government also announced on Sunday that full contact senior training will resume on July 13 and that competitions, such as the BFNL, could begin from July 20.
AFL VICTORIA STATEMENT AFTER TODAY'S GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS:
AFL Victoria welcomes the Victorian Government's announcement today that community sport full-contact training and competition for people 18 years and under can resume from Monday 22 June.
Full-contact training for adults can resume from Monday 13 July with full-contact competition resumption from Monday 20 July.
We want to thank the Victorian Government for their support of Victorian football and thank the community and our health and essential workers - and the wider Victorian community - for an environment where community sport can resume.
We are excited to work with our Leagues and Clubs to begin the 2020 Community Football and NAB AFL Auskick Season where so many girls, boys, women and men have the opportunity to return to play.
We also want to acknowledge all the community clubs who were committed to following the physical distancing and hygiene protocols associated with a Return to Small Group Training.
As we prepare to move toward contact-training and competition play, AFL Victoria will work with Leagues, Clubs, participants, coaches, umpires and all volunteers to ensure we return to competition play in an effective and safe manner in adherence with Victorian Government guidelines and AFL Return to Play Framework (RTP Framework).
We know how much community football means to Victorian families and we look forward to working together to ensuring community clubs return to play in a safe and well managed environment.
AFL Victoria will provide a further update in the coming days.
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