AFL VICTORIA has announced they have recommended all community competitions be suspended until May 31.
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In a statement released on Tuesday afternoon, the state's governing body said the decision was made due to the growing coronavirus pandemic.
"The health and well-being of fans, players, umpires, officials, partners, volunteers and communities has been our number one priority," the statement said.
"We are determined to be part of the whole of community response to slow this COVID-19 virus down – and in doing so, help the broader community and our health systems to cope.
"Following a series of meetings over the last number of days involving the AFL and all State and Territory CEOs, recommendations have been made in relation to Community football.
"Consistent with the decision yesterday in relation to State League football and the national and state talent programs, all AFL and AFL State association managed or operated leagues along with the NAB AFL Auskick Centres programs currently operating or set to begin, will be postponed until 31st May 2020.
"The AFL is also strongly recommending that independently governed junior and senior leagues and associations postpone the commencement and/or operation of their leagues/associations until the same date.
"This decision and recommendation covers AFL community matches, AFL community training sessions and face to face AFL, WAFC and SANFL education courses.
"Given the current climate of uncertainty and complexity, we felt it was best for our AFL community to take decisive action now.
"The recommendation was collectively agreed upon based on the nature of shared public facilities across community football clubs and the health and safety of our volunteer network.
"The AFL and AFL State and Territory Associations are committed to supporting community football during this time.
"We are a game, but we are not the main game.
"The main game is looking after the community and that is the clear priority for everyone at the moment. For football families like all families.
"It is paramount that support and engagement in community football continues during these times. It is vital players, coaches, administrators, supporters, sponsors, volunteers and kids retain close links to their local clubs, Auskick Centres and wider league network.
"The AFL will continue to meet with state and territory associations in relation to community football and will continually review this decision based on the changing circumstances and advice from government and relevant health departments and medical experts. We will communicate any updates and provide advice in a timely manner.
"Football has had many challenges and despite the size of this one, football will find a way through."
Across the community, clubs are bracing for impact.
Echuca president Ash Byrne said they were ready to face the upcoming challenges.
“We've just got to work through it now,” he said.
“We’ll sit down as a club and figure out a plan for how we go forward.
“The reality is it’s an international health situation, we all need to do our part in handling it, so this has to be done."
Echuca United president Ian Johnson said the club will suffer as a result of losing the Three Jacks contest in round two, but said the Eagles supported the decision.
“At the end of the day as a club we have to do everything we can to help protect our players,” he said.
“There’s no doubt it will hurt us financially over the coming weeks. We were fixtured to play at home against Moama on Good Friday and that always draws a large crowd. But we will look forward to playing our rivals later in the year.
“Over the coming days we will work out our next steps but everyone understands this period going to take a lot of patience.”
Moama president Matt Lake said he had been swamped by calls about the future of the season.
“We've had a lot of communication from the club community about what will happen,” he said.
“We've had to sit tight and see what the call was from higher up, we didn't want to go off too early. Now we know what we are dealing with.
“We're all going to be faced with difficult times in coming months, but we have no choice but to move on and plan for when the season does start.
“The reality is health is the most important thing, we need to get this right and hopefully everyone understands why these tough decisions had to be made.”
While disappointed, Tongala president Darren Maloney said there is also a sense of relief at having an outcome.
“Everyone knows what we’re faced with, and that is better for the wider community,” he said.
“These are common sense calls, and it puts us all in the same boat. We are all waiting together and getting ready for when we go again.”
Under the current arrangement, first games are likely to be played on June 6.