VAFA Statement: COVID Update

Brett Connell – VAFA CEO

The VAFA Board and Administration are totally committed to optimizing the playing opportunities and aim to provide a successful conclusion in all sections for the 2021 season.

As you would be aware, the Victorian State Government recently announced a 7-day extension of the COVID lockdown in the Greater Melbourne Metropolitan area.

All home & away games for last weekend (Aug 7/8) and this weekend (Aug 14/15) have been cancelled. Finals matches were also postponed.

The VAFA will return to competition as soon as the Government allows community sport to return to play. As previously advised, all clubs need to be prepared to play as soon as we are permitted and at short notice.

We do not have the luxury of waiting once we can return to play so please ensure your teams and players are fit and ready to play at short notice for either finals or home & away fixtures.

Our Football Operations team has prepared a range of scenarios which will be enacted depending on when we are able to resume competition again.

Details will be divulged once return to play is permitted as the document and scenarios are quite complex. To keep everyone informed on some other key issues please find some updates as follows.

1. The date for the completion of the Women’s finals in all grades and men’s 3rds has been extended to allow time for the Preliminary Finals and Grand Finals to take place. Preliminary Finals in these sections will take place as soon as play can be permitted and Grand Finals a week later.
2. The Board is currently considering the matter of promotion and relegation for all senior men’s sections, U19 Premier and U19 Division 1 and Women’s Premier/Premier B.

As per Rule 13, the Board may in its discretion vary this procedure and the number of teams to be promoted/relegated and will do so for this season after considering the COVID impact on the competitions. This will be decided as soon as possible after the home & away season is complete in all sections.

3. At this stage men’s sections finals will take place with the usual final 4 and over a 3-week period. Dates will depend on the return to play dates.

Cancelled home & away matches will not be rescheduled so it is hoped finals in all men’s sections will start as listed in the VAFA calendar.

4. As a fall-back situation ,clubs should be aware that the VAFA is securing venues in case of need for Friday 24th and Sunday 26th Sept which might be used at the VAFAs discretion for finals should the need arise.
5. Many of the regular finals venues are not available over the coming weeks so if your club is able to host a final either as a gated or non-gated venue then please inform our VAFA Admin of the dates.
6. It is our intention that competition B&F votes and medals will still be awarded.
7. All VAFA Functions have been cancelled or are on hold until further notice.

The VAFA Board and VAFA Administration are continually meeting and evaluating this most fluid and changeable situation.

The above is an update as of today and you will all be kept informed of any changes and amendments necessary.

Due to the evolving nature of COVID, we will continue to closely monitor the advice from the Government and relevant authorities. Changes may occur to ensure we complete the season, and we ask for you to be patient and flexible.

We hope to return to play as soon as possible and to make it a wonderful end to the season in a very complex and ever-changing environment.