Junior competition likely to have 15 teams as some clubs join forces

AFL Wimmera-Mallee area manager Jason Muldoon said 15 teams appeared set to participate in an eight-week junior competition, with a full fixture to be released later this week.

The season will have no finals and will begin on July 25, restrictions permitting.

West Wimmera's Kaniva-Leeor United and Nhill are two clubs that will combine resources to field joint teams.

Nhill and District Sporting Club president Ash Dickinson said the amalgamation lessened the concern about playing numbers and lightened the burden on volunteers.

"It's going to be a bit of a shared responsibility," he said.

"Joint teams were considered and Kaniva-Leeor United were the best match with us as far as numbers and location is concerned."

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Mr Dickinson said there were still hurdles to overcome before a season went ahead.

He said players and parents would have to adapt to a new system.

"It would just be good to see our kids back out there, of course," he said.

"It's going to be different, with the kids just turning up, playing, then going home again.

"There's still some work to be done ... but we're working through it and hopefully we can see them out there on July 25^th."

Mr Dickinson said the club would also look at having some combined training sessions with Kaniva-Leeor United.

Taylors Lake meanwhile is one of the clubs that have pulled out of the junior competition.

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Lakers president Tammy McDonald said uncertainty around the spike of coronavirus cases in Victoria and the burden on volunteers were the main reasons for the decision.

"It was a very tough decision the committee made," she said.

"Our numbers were quite low in the end. A lot of parents were not wanting their children to play (for health reasons).

"I know we could have been merged with another side, but the strain that it would've put on the volunteers was also very difficult to manage.

"There are kids going to play for other clubs in this competition, and we're happy for that. It was ultimately the right decision for us to withdraw."

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