Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
CAMERON Tomlins recalls heading into an AFL Central Victoria commission meeting back in March when he had his first cause for concern that the coronavirus he'd heard so much about overseas could pose a potential problem for the Bendigo Football-Netball League's 2020 season.
"I remember approaching the commission about needing to put this coronavirus, which had been in the news, on the agenda and realistically, not understanding what we were about to enter," BFNL manager Tomlins said on Thursday.
"I thought it had the potential to provide some hiccups for clubs and players, but certainly not to the extent we've got to today.
"Then a couple of days later the AFL hit the pause button and it has just developed from there."
The AFL pause on community football-netball was enacted on March 17 and so began the BFNL's fight to salvage a 2020 season amid an ever-changing landscape of restrictions and uncertainty that finally came to a head more than 100 days later on Wednesday night when the decision was finally made to call off the senior competition.
The BFNL was one of the last five Victorian leagues left standing in the hope it could start on July 25, making it clear all throughout the grind that while there was an appetite from its clubs to battle against the odds and fight for a season, they would - and they did.
"The league has remained dedicated to leaving the door ajar as long as possible, but acknowledge that everyone is now seeking a level of certainty and guidance we cannot provide in the required timeframes," the league said as part of its detailed statement announcing its decision.
On the morning after one of the biggest decisions in the league's history was ratified, Tomlins said there was a strong feeling of disappointment that what he first thought of as a potential hiccup had ultimately led to the season being cancelled.
"Everyone within our league has invested a hell of a lot... this has gone on for over 100 days and the work of the league, clubs, players and volunteers to roll with the punches and highs and lows to continually readjust our position has been really difficult," Tomlins said.
"There has been an element for a while that this was probably the likely outcome, but we've remained united. throughout that while the appetite is there and we feel the window is open, we'd keep doing whatever we could to try to make it happen."
While the senior season has been cancelled, the BFNL has committed to running under-18 football and 17-and-under netball, with the league's focus now shifting to the structure and logistics involved ahead of a target start date of July 25.
WHAT THE CLUBS SAID FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY NIGHT'S DECISION:
CASTLEMAINE
"It was an expected decision, but it still came as a shock. It's a bit deflating that our footballers and netballers can't have the reward of going out to play for all the hard work they've put in. We respect the recommendation by the league and there's no point dwelling on what could have been, we've got to look to the future." - Caleb Kuhle (president).
EAGLEHAWK
"In some ways it's a decision that was inevitable. We were hoping to get a season away, but there has been an ever-changing landscape. With the decision made, we now know where we stand and we don't have to hang on anymore to see what may happen. We did everything we could to get a season up, but unfortunately, it just didn't work out." - Paul Whitford (president).
GISBORNE
The Bulldogs had already withdrawn from the competition on Tuesday, citing its proximity to a number of the locked down suburbs in Melbourne as a concern.
"Everyone wanted to get a season up and running and I commend the league for hanging on as long as they have." - John Wood (president).
GOLDEN SQUARE
"It became inevitable. It's a disappointing decision to have to make, but we totally understand. I'd like to thank the board for pushing the limit as far as they did and we're really keen to look after our under-18 footballers and 17-and-under netballers and we'll back that to the hilt now." - Brendan Stewart (president).
KANGAROO FLAT
"We understand and respect the decision... there has obviously been a lot that has gone into it. We're disappointed we won't be playing this year given it was going to be a bit of a fresh start from the football side of things, but we'll move on and get some things happening for next year." - James Flaherty (senior coach).
KYNETON
"We're OK with the decision that has been made. It's obviously disappointing not to be playing, but we do feel that the right decision has been made." - Julie Priestley (president).
MARYBOROUGH
"The league has gone through a process of consultation and in the end, I think the decision that was made was inevitable. We'll certainly be trying to get teams (for the under-18 football and 17-under netball) and with the district league (MCDFNL) not going ahead it creates an opportunity." - Brendan Roughead (president).
SANDHURST
"The decision ended up being a no-brainer. When you look back it was probably inevitable, but I'm happy we can say the BFNL and its clubs gave it the best chance it could to get a season up. We're disappointed that the season can't go ahead, but for the wellbeing of everyone involved, it's the right decision." - Chris Greene (president).
SOUTH BENDIGO
"We're obviously disappointed, but in saying that we're really appreciative of the league giving us the best possible chance. They took it pretty much to the 11th hour and, in the end, circumstances defeated them, not a lack of will on their behalf to get a season up. We're very appreciative of all the work that has been done and now we're looking forward to focusing on our under-18 footballers and 17-and-under netballers." - Alan Ellis (president).
STRATHFIELDSAYE
"We expected this was the decision that was going to be coming. Once the outbreak hit in Melbourne the writing was on the wall. We'll now focus on getting around our under-18 footballers and 17-under netballers and prepare to re-set for next year." - Glen Cowling (president).
FULL BFNL STATEMENT FROM WEDNESDAY NIGHT:
The Bendigo Football-Netball League have this evening made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Bendigo Football Netball League senior football and netball home and away seasons due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
This decision relates to all senior grades of football and netball for season 2020 - seniors and reserves football, along with netball, including A Grade, A Reserve, B Grade and B Reserve grades of home and away competition.
In regular consultation and with the full support of all BFNL member clubs, the difficult yet necessary decision has been made due to the mounting safety concerns and the ongoing uncertainty being placed on the BFNL, clubs, players and volunteers to launch a partial season that we felt would be viable, achievable and sustainable, maintaining integrity, but most importantly was in the best interests of community safety and wellbeing.
The Bendigo Football-Netball League in conjunction with all affiliated clubs remain committed to providing alternative competitions for our Under-18 footballers and 17-and-under netballers, who are governed by a different set of State Government protocols to the senior players.
We will continue to do everything in our power to offer developmental and participation opportunities for the future generation of senior BFNL players, and the league and its member clubs will continue to liaise and logistically develop alternate competitions and fixtures in the immediate future that can proceed in a safe and sustainable manner.
The Bendigo FNL would like to extend its sincere thanks to all of our member clubs and presidents, including their dedicated and passionate players, volunteers, committees, members, supporters, along with all valued sponsors of the Bendigo FNL, the Bendigo Umpires Association and AFL Central Victoria staff for their overwhelming support and understanding during this challenging period.
The league also extends its thanks to local cricket associations and councils for the flexibility demonstrated to explore all possible opportunities to return safely in 2020.
In what has been a difficult fortnight for the state of Victoria and as the authorities currently work to manage and suppress a spike in COVID-19 outbreaks across Melbourne, several new concerns were presented to the BFNL.
These concerns, along with the continued uncertainty surrounding various non-negotiables for a safe and achievable return, have hampered the ability of the league to continue to pursue alternative seasons for our senior football and netball competitions in 2020. Some of the new and existing concerns that have ultimately driven this difficult decision include:
* Most importantly, increased concerns for local and regional community safety and welfare heightened by the increasing spikes in COVID-19 transmissions across Melbourne, specifically considering the risk of transmission between individuals from BFNL member clubs who commute or live outside of the BFNL geographical region;
* Continued uncertainty and challenges relating to clubs being able to host and manage crowds for senior competitions;
* The responsibilities associated with complying with necessary COVID-19 safety requirements and the impact this would have on clubs and their hard-working and dedicated volunteer base;
* Financial risks faced by the league and its member clubs due to the ongoing uncertainty of the situation and current economic environment;
* Concerns that protocols and guidelines currently presented are subject to advice and change from relevant authorities, which may have resulted in the need to abandon the 2020 season after commencing the initial rounds; and
* Overall concerns with the integrity, viability, and financial sustainability of proceeding with the 2020 season and possible implications for the 2021 season.
Following a lengthy consultation period with clubs, league manager Cameron Tomlins said: "We understand and acknowledge the significant challenges and shared frustrations clubs, players, volunteers, supporters and the wider local community have been subject to during the past few months during this unprecedented situation.
"The Bendigo FNL has remained steadfast in keeping all options open as long as possible as we continued exploring every opportunity to return to the ovals and courts in 2020, provided we could do so in a safe, achievable and sustainable manner.
"Community safety and well-being has remained paramount to our decision-making process, however together with our clubs, the BFNL have been committed to exhausting every possibility to enable an opportunity to participate and compete in 2020, based on the strong appetite of our clubs and players to do so.
"This is certainly not the outcome we were hoping to achieve. The continued and growing uncertainty we still face coupled with the incredibly tight timeframes to launch a partial season that is viable for all clubs without imposing unnecessary financial, mental and physical pressure on clubs has led to our ultimate decision.
"The league have remained dedicated to leaving the door ajar as long as possible but acknowledge that everyone is now seeking a level of certainty and guidance we cannot provide in the required timeframes.
"This is an incredibly difficult day for the league, and this is an unprecedented situation, though we must make a responsible decision based on what is best for our local clubs, local community and the integrity of our competition.
"The ongoing uncertainty surrounding community attendance at matches, how to generate revenue through regular channels such as canteens, bars, and social functions, the uncertain burden and responsibilities thrust upon clubs to comply with the necessary protocols and guidelines, concerns for health and wellbeing, concerns for short to medium term financial sustainability and other such implications means the cancellation of the 2020 senior season is unfortunately the only viable option.
"Levels of COVID-19 impact are being felt differently across each respective club, though most clubs have now experienced a significant and comparable reduction of income already in regular revenue streams such as sponsorship due to the overall effect on local business, and reductions to club membership and minimal regular fundraising and hospitality opportunities," Tomlins said.
............................................................................................................
SIGN UP FOR BEST ON GROUND, THE AFL NEWSLETTER YOU CAN'T MISS: Straight into your mailbox every Thursday before the first bounce
If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Bendigo Advertiser, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thankyou very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Bendigo's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.