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THE Bendigo Football-Netball League is buoyed by the prospect that it could make a July 25 start, but is awaiting the answers to more questions about the viability of a 2020 season.
The state government announced on Sunday as part of its next stage of the easing of coronavirus restrictions that full-contact training for senior sport can begin on July 13 and competition can start on July 20.
BFNL general manager Cameron Tomlins says while the dates announced finally provides the league with some timeframe clarity, more information is still required around the requirements of clubs on game days and will crowds be permitted - and if so, how many and by when.
"At this point in time, the dates that went live yesterday were probably in line with our expectations. What the announcement lacked though was probably a bit of substance for leagues and clubs as to how they can manage and operate on game day," Tomlins said on Monday.
"Obviously, the return to contact training and competition dates are key pieces of information, but the information around things like crowds, infection measures, cleaning, the ability to have fundraisers, canteens, bars and so forth, that's the information we still require to make an educated decision.
"So at the moment it probably still remains a waiting game for us.
"We've been consistent in our approach through this whole situation in that we'll continue to look at the evidence in front of us and work towards our goals and targets.
"We still feel we're in a position where we've got time to make decisions.
"Obviously, this latest announcement is a positive step, but it hasn't given us all the information we need.
Obviously, this latest announcement is a positive step, but it hasn't given us all the information we need
- Cameron Tomlins
"It's not a definite yes for us yet, but it's a step in the right direction."
The return-to-competition for senior sport on July 20 is a Monday, meaning the first weekend the BFNL could play is July 25, and it's that start date that would allow for nine home and away games and a traditional four-week finals series to culminate on the weekend of October 17.
Cricket Victoria and AFL Victoria have an agreement that allows local football priority access to grounds up until Sunday, October 18.
The BFNL is due to meet again with club presidents on Wednesday night.
The BFNL is the last of the four senior football-netball competitions in the AFLCV region still with a chance of playing this year after the Heathcote District, Loddon Valley and North Central leagues have already made the call to abandon 2020.
AFLCV is committed to playing Bendigo Junior Football League games and that could be sooner rather than later given 18-and-under-sport can begin full contact training and competition from next Monday.
The door also remains open to the possibility of a shortened Central Victorian Football League Women's season still going ahead this year.
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