VAFA FIXTURE UPDATE

UPDATE: All Under 19 and Premier and Premier B Thirds fixtures are now live at vafa.com.au. You can view the fixtures by clicking on Fixtures & Results or by clicking here Premier C Thirds, Under 18 and Club XVIII fixtures are currently being worked on and the VAFA will post an update when they are ready on our website and through our various social media (Twitter: @VAFA_HQ and Facebook)
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“The fixtures are coming, be patient, you will all have a game to play this week.”
That is the message from the VAFA Football Operations department about the delay in the release of fixtures for Under 19s, Under 18s, Club XVIII and Thirds. 
The VAFA has faced a number of extenuating circumstances which has led to a delay in the release of some fixtures on the eve of the season. These range from, but are not limited to, the competition have had a net loss of up to eight grounds that were available for play last year. Councils for various reasons have elected to close certain grounds and this has left a hole in where matches can be scheduled. With an increase in the number of clubs and number of teams playing, this has created a road block for many clubs. 
The usual difficulties of scheduling matches in the Albert Park precinct in the opening weeks of the season after the Grand Prix have also played their usual part, plus there have been unavailabilities for three clubs of their home ground for the first month of the season. 
The challenge of trying to accommodate clubs to have both their junior players and senior players play at home on the same day has increased due to the number of clubs making this request. Many clubs rely on their valuable volunteers and often, as many of us in the VAFA are aware, one club volunteer is often involved with three teams in the one day. With these factors in mind, some clubs have indicated they may not be able to field a team unless this can be accommodated.
This season is starting a week earlier than last year and this has also given the fixture team less time to complete the draw. These are just a couple of examples of why the fixtures have taken longer to complete than usual. 
At this stage most of the the Under 19 fixtures will be published today as will the Thirds. This leaves the Club XVIII and Under 18 competitions to be published after that. 
All VAFA Club Secretaries have been notified of these developments and are aware of the difficulties faced with fewer grounds available. Clubs will be notified of their matches this weekend as soon as they are finalised. As soon as each fixture is released you can check back to the front page of vafa.com.au where an announcement will be posted confirming the release of the specific fixture online. 
Once again the VAFA extends a thank you to everyone for their patience and assures everyone that is due to play this week will have a game to play.