Contact sport banned due to COVID-19; female football set to be cancelled

Full-contact training was scheduled to resume on Monday, July 13, with full-contact competition able to be played from July 20.

The new restrictions all but end the hope of a senior Western Victorian Female Football League season going ahead.

The season was scheduled to begin on August 1.

The Horsham Demons and the Ararat Storm both compete in the competition.

Horsham Demons coach Addison Rigby said it was expected, considering the current situation across Victoria.

"To be honest, it's probably a bit of a relief," Rigby said.

"There were girls interested, but I couldn't guarantee their safety, and that was the biggest issue.

"It was just too much of a risk."

Rigby said the club were gearing up for an exciting second year in the competition, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We had women's training before the men's, with massive numbers and it was looking really good," he said.

"Hopefully a lot of them keep in contact outside of football and ... I think a lot of them are hanging around Horsham and they made it very clear that they're keen for next year."

No official statement cancelling the season has been made by AFL Western Victoria or the WVFFL.

AFL Western Vic have been contacted for comment.

The new regulations however do not apply to junior sport, leaving the door ajar for junior football-netball competitions.

The WVFFL junior competition, featuring the Horsham Demons, Horsham Saints, Stawell Warriors and Ararat Storm, is scheduled to begin on August 1.

READ MORE:

"In line with the directions of Victoria's Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton, the difficult but necessary decision has been made to halt the resumption of full-contact training and competition for people aged 19 and over in regional Victoria," the state government statement said.

"This decision will be tough for many regional Victorian clubs and communities and it was not taken lightly - but is essential to slow the spread of coronavirus and save lives."

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox twice weekly from the Wimmera Mail-Times. To make sure you're up-to-date with all the news from across the Wimmera, sign up below.