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THE wait is finally over for hundreds of junior footballers across the region.
Three months after the Bendigo Junior Football League season was originally slated to get under way, but was put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, the shortened 2020 competition begins this weekend.
A total of 153 boys and girls teams across 21 divisions ranging from under-9 through to under-18s are entered in the BJFL season.
The BJFL will run a 10-week competition through to the weekend of September 19-20, with games being played under AFL Victoria Protocols.
AFL Victoria country football manager Sophie Williams praised the BJFL for its patience and the work that has gone in to getting a season started through difficult circumstances.
"We're really excited that we can get the kids back playing and that has been a key objective throughout this COVID situation," Williams told the Bendigo Advertiser.
"That younger age group in particular when kids are transitioning from Auskick into junior football, there can be a risk of losing them when they may look to diversify their sport or walk away from sport all together, so the fact football is being offered in Bendigo in a tough environment keeps them participating in the game and engaged.
"But it's also so important for the mental health and well-being of not only the kids, but families as well. Junior football is the grassroots and cornerstone of our game."
There is no senior community football being played in Victoria this year, with all leagues - starting with Heathcote District on May 21 - having been cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns.
But junior sport is being guided by a separate set of government restrictions that is allowing it to proceed, while all senior competition and contact training in Victoria is still not permitted.
"We understand that league and club presidents and committees have had to make some really difficult decisions this year," Williams said.
"Trying to navigate the Return-To-Play Protocols outlined by Sport and Recreation Victoria have been difficult for clubs and put more pressure on volunteers.
"From an AFL Victoria perspective we're trying to reduce the load on volunteers, but we haven't been able to do that with the COVID situation.
"We're disappointed (there's no senior football this year), but we fully understand and appreciate just how difficult it has been for leagues and clubs to navigate their way through this.
"We support all the decisions that have been made by leagues and clubs because they are at the heart of making their choices in working with their players, coaches and volunteers."
Meanwhile, among the 21 divisions in the BJFL is an added under-18 boys competition for teams from the Heathcote District and Loddon Valley leagues.
Nine teams are participating, with those playing from the Heathcote District league gaining an extra year in the juniors given it's an under-17 competition.
The competition features Marong, Newbridge, Maiden Gully YCW and Calivil United from the Loddon Valley league and North Bendigo, Leitchville-Gunbower, Mount Pleasant, Huntly and White Hills from the Heathcote District league.
In Saturday's round one Marong and North Bendigo meet at Malone Park from noon, Leitchville-Gunbower and Newbridge clash at Leitchville at 1pm, Maiden Gully YCW takes on Mount Pleasant at Marist College at 1pm and Huntly hosts White Hills from 1pm. Calivil United has the bye.
Protocols for the running of BJFL games include:
* Only spectators necessary to support participation (e.g. coaches, medical staff, one parent of a junior participant) should attend training and competitions;
* It is preferred spectators stay in their car where possible. If not, social distance and no congregating in groups of more than 10;
* Arrive no earlier than 20 minutes before game and leave grounds within 15 minutes after game ends;
* No spectators on grounds during breaks or after the match; and
* If you, or people you have been in contact with, are sick, do not attend training or games.
An under-18 competition in the Bendigo Football-Netball League featuring all teams except for Gisborne is slated to kick off next weekend.
The BFNL will also run a 17-and-under netball season starting next week, while an AFL Central Victoria junior netball competition for Heathcote District and Loddon Valley teams began on Thursday night.
BJFL 2020 divisions:
Under 9 Blue - 8 teams.
Under 9 Gold - 10 teams.
Under 10 Blue - 10 teams.
Under 10 Gold - 10 teams.
Under 10 White - 6 teams.
Under 12 Girls - 7 teams.
Under 12 A - 8 teams.
Under 12 B - 8 teams.
Under 12 C - 8 teams.
Under 12 D - 6 teams.
Under 14 Girls - 9 teams.
Under 14 Sen. - 6 teams.
Under 14 Blue - 6 teams.
Under 14 Gold - 6 teams.
Under 14 White - 6 teams.
Under 16 Girls - 5 teams.
Under 16 Sen. - 6 teams.
Under 16 Blue - 7 teams.
Under 16 Gold - 6 teams.
Under 18 Girls - 6 teams.
Under 18 Boys - 9 teams
50 MOST DOMINANT FLAG SEASONS IN BFL, HDFL, LVFL SINCE 1990
No. 38 & 37 - North Bendigo 2019; Leitchville-Gunbower 2018
No. 40 & 39 - Bridgewater 1991; Calivil United 2017
No. 42 & 41 - Heathcote 1992, Sandhurst 2004
No. 44 & 43 - Eaglehawk 2008, Elmore 2007
No. 46 & 45 - Mount Pleasant 1990, Newbridge 2018
No. 48 & 47 - Gisborne 2006, Calivil United 1990
No. 50 & 49 - Calivil United 2003, Eaglehawk 2018
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