Uppers meeting set to bring season start date forward

The Upper Great Southern Football League appears set to bring forward a proposed starting date for its 2020 season tomorrow night. UGSFL president Tim Cowcher confirmed at a meeting last week executives had decided on a July 19 starting date involving a seven-round season. However, that may change given the latest State Government announcement allowing 100 people to attend non-work gatherings at indoor and outdoor venues. The UGSFL will hold a meeting tomorrow night with club delegates to discuss the latest easing of restrictions, with Cowcher stating the season could begin earlier and more games be played. However, he was adamant they would not be played if only 100 people were allowed per ground. As part of the phase-three easing of restrictions announced by the State Government last Friday, full-contact sport can resume on Saturday. Attendance at non-work gatherings at indoor and outdoor venues will be raised to 100 people per oval, and 300 in total. Under the government guidelines, the 100 people includes players, customers, patrons, participants, parents and spectators. Trainers, coaches and general venue staff are not included in the 100-person count. With UGSFL fixtures comprising mostly 22 players a team, any game would already account for 44 of the 100-person limit. It is unclear if umpires, timekeepers, gate attendants and other essential match-day personnel are included in the limit. The WAFC is expected to update its return-to-play guidelines this week and is working with all stakeholders, including local governments, ahead of games returning in community football across WA. Most UGSFL clubs have begun training in the past week. WA Football Commission executive manager of country football and facilities Tom Bottrell expects crowds to return to normal at some point during the 2020 season. “We are hopeful ... and if the easing of restrictions continues over the next four to six weeks, I’d be confident that close to normal crowds will be allowed at some point,” Bottrell said. “What we don’t yet know is the total number of spectators and also the hygiene protocol non-negotiables once we get to that point. “We are hopeful that the current trajectory in easing of restrictions continues to allow, for example, 500, then 1000, possibly 1500 spectators at some point in the 2020 season, but are obviously totally guided by the State Government.” Central Midlands Coastal Football League and the Goldfields Football League have cancelled their seasons for now, while the Avon Football Association has stated that if fixtures have not started by Sunday, June 21, under stage five of the WAFL and community football return-to-play roadmap, its games would also not go ahead. Speaking earlier this week, Bottrell said he remained confident most country football would go ahead. “I’m a lot more confident that leagues will at very least defer any decision to abandon and look at possible commencement dates based on the latest easing in restrictions,” he said. “However, its very important that leagues don’t get too ambitious when drafting possible return dates as we need to be sure we can press ahead with spectators, who provide vital revenue for clubs via food and beverage purchases. “It becomes more complicated for any clubs based at multi-sport venues as the total number of people is a total for all sports at the venue. “We will work closely with all leagues to talk through all options but would implore leagues to analyse the financial implications of the date they decide on.”