Macleay Valley Eagles return to training with season dates announced

The COVID-19 pandemic has halted the progress of many sports with various codes postponing or cancelling their 2020 season.

Auskick, Under 11's and 13's are the three formats the Eagles are hoping to participate in this year with the Under 17's format relying heavily on volunteers.

"Depending on numbers 11's, 13's and Auskick are the competitions and formats we're hoping to play in with nominations for teams required on June 27," Eagles President Evan Aspiotis said.

Along with his presidential role, Aspiotis will be the Eagles' COVID safety officer.

The officer role has become a requirement for all clubs hoping to participate in sporting competitions this year as federal and state governments attempt to combat the spread of the virus.

Northern NSW AFL manager, Simon Smyth, outlined the role of the officer and their importance towards clubs being COVID-19 compliant.

"An officer is a contact point at the club who has a record of all the people that attended each training session, for instance worst case scenario someone at a club contracts COVID we need to be able to trace who that person was with leading up to the diagnosis," he told the Argus.

"The role is essentially like COVID-19 first aid, if someone turns up sick what's the response, and monitoring whether the team is adhering to the return to small group protocols to make sure everything is going smoothly."

Sign up here for a free weekly newsletter from the Macleay Argus.

Season dates have also been announced for the North Coast AFL competition and with various codes unsure about whether their season is going ahead, Mr Smyth believes it's a great opportunity for people to come and have a crack at a new sport.

"We caught up with our clubs late last week, we're still trying to finalise dates around seniors but our junior competition will start on Sunday July 19 with a ten round season, with a grand final played between first and second on September 27," he explained.

"I hope all sports recover well and can go ahead with their seasons but if not it's a great opportunity to come and have a try at AFL for juniors in the Macleay.

"With a shortened format it makes it easier for kids to have a crack at the sport."

Sporting associations have also been hesitant to announce a season restart if canteens and spectators aren't around but Mr Smyth understands that may be allowed under strict guidelines.

"Our understanding is it's a yes to both, there will be crowds allowed but they'll have to follow social-distancing measures with one person per four square metres," he said.

"It's also our understanding that canteens will be allowed once sport comes back but as always we'll await further instructions from the government."