2021 will be the toughest year Heathcote District Football Netball League clubs have experienced, according to league chairman Peter Cole.
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With the 2020 season wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic, Cole said the HDFNL's nine clubs needed more support to secure their long-term viability.
In conjunction with the HDFNL, BFNL, LVFNL, NCFL and BJFL, AFLCV last week launched the "I'm Committed" campaign in a bid to raise awareness for players, volunteers and sponsors to sign up now with their community club.
At this stage, the position of HDFNL clubs is not as precarious as Mitiamo, but Cole said more support was required.
"This will be our toughest year,'' Cole said.
"We desperately need volunteers, and I read with interest Rob Clohesy's comments about Mitiamo, we're in the same boat.
"At this stage we just don't know how we're going to rebound from this year. Some clubs might benefit from the year away, others mightn't.
"We've really got to work hard to get the enthusiasm back. Our main aim, as a board, is to rekindle that enthusiasm and motivation.
"(Prior to COVID-19) our league was on a roll and was the most popular going around, I don't care what anyone says.
"We have to try to get that back. It's going to be a tough gig."
Read more: Catch up on all the latest local footy news
Cole said the HDFNL board was in constant contact with the clubs in a bid to improve the state of the league.
"We'll work in conjunction with our clubs...some decisions we make are good and some are not as well received by clubs,'' he said.
"At the end of the day we do it for the benefit of all of our clubs, not the odd one.
"We'll keep them informed and we'll have a representative at all their annual meetings to see how they're travelling.
"During pre-season training you don't need too many volunteers, but once you get a month out from the season and practice games start...that's when it kicks in.
"The fundraising and social committees are so important. We still don't know how many people we're allowed to have at these events.
"It's a bit of a dog's breakfast at the moment, but we've got to keep chipping away at it.
"The (COVID-19) numbers are encouraging and, hopefully, we'll be able to have a full season of football and netball."
Meanwhile, the 2021 HDFNL season is unlikely to begin on the Easter weekend.
Two clubs and the league board discussed the possibility of a stand-alone season-opener on Good Friday, April 2.
At this stage that match won't go ahead and the season is likely to commence on Saturday, April 10.
The HDFNL fixture will be ratified at the league's annual general meeting later this month.
Read more: HDFNL makes tough decision to cancel season
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