JUNIOR Bendigo Amateur Soccer League players will join their senior colleagues on the sidelines after their season was officially cancelled.
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BASL officials made the call on Friday afternoon in response to the state government's declaration this week of a State of Emergency across Victoria and the subsequent move to stage 3 restrictions in regional parts of the state.
In a statement released late Friday, the league executive acknowledged the disappointment and sadness its decision would cause, but added it had been made in the best interests of the safety of clubs, players, officials and volunteers.
"As we navigated the many and varied challenges of the 2020 season, we sought feedback from the members and their clubs,' the statement read.
"The common message was that the many physical and mental benefits football offers to our members be a primary driver in our decision making for so long as it was possible in a safe, achievable, and sustainable manner.
"It is now clear that we are no longer able to achieve this goal.
"BASL's first priority has remained to the health and well-being of its clubs, players, officials, volunteers and in turn the broader community and as such the decision is one we must make to remain true to this."
Hundreds of children from across the region in various age groups returned to the field last month after a delayed start to the season due to the COVID-19 crisis.
But the season was again put on hold last weekend following a spike in coronavirus cases across the region, including in a select few schools.
But a worsening situation across central Victoria this week left with the league with no other option but to shelve the season.
BASL's first priority has remained to the health and well-being of its clubs, players, officials, volunteers and in turn the broader community and as such the decision is one we must make to remain true to this.
- BASL statement
BASL president Aaron Shooter said the league was thankful for the brief opportunity provided for juniors to take to the field and hoped that the joy it clearly brought the players was some reward for all who made it possible.
"I am truly grateful for the mountain of work put in by the BASL committee, staff, clubs, volunteers and players to this point and acknowledge that this decision will come as a significant disappointment," he said.
"I hope that the brief window of joy that was provided the junior players in some way served as a reward for the passion and solidarity shown by all involved.
"I am confident that we have done everything in our power to champion the ideal of the 2020 competition.
"We have, unfortunately, come to a point where this is no longer viable."
"I look forward to welcoming all our players, coaches and families back to the game in 2021 to celebrate, both the relaunch of football and BASL's 50th anniversary and ask that we come together to support the game as we strive to return with more energy than ever."
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