SOUTH-WEST football-netball leagues are in limbo as concerns around COVID-19 continue to grow within the community.
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A call on whether leagues will go ahead with their seasons is expected to be made in the next 24 hours with AFL Western District awaiting advice on how to proceed.
The Australian Federal Government advised that from Monday March 16 all non-essential, organised mass gatherings of 500 or more should be cancelled.
"At the moment we are working through things with league executives and the decision is in the hands of AFL Victoria with guidance from the government," AFLWD commercial and operations manager Matt Ross said.
"It may be taken out of hands with advice and possible laws impacting the decision. In next 24 hours we will have a final decision.
"It could be business as usual or it could be a postponement."
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AFLWD watches over the Hampden, Warrnambool and District, Mininera and South West District football netball leagues as well as the Portland, Hamilton and Casterton and Coleraine junior leagues.
Round one for most of the leagues is set to take place between March 28 and April 18.
The WDFNL is the first to start followed by the Hampden league on April 4 and then Mininera and South West District on April 18.
Many sports across the country and the world are coming to a halt or are being altered as a way to help contain the spread of the virus.
Ross said the decision would centre, like most other decisions relating to the virus, around the health and safety of everyone involved in the sport.
Over the weekend the AFL recommended no group training for umpiring associations.
AFLWD and its member leagues have encouraged people to continue good hygiene while a decision is made.
"We asked everyone to think about hygiene and for them to look after themselves," WDFNL president Kylie Murphy said.
"At this stage unfortunately have to sit back and wait."
On Monday afternoon it was announced the VFL, NAB League, WAFL, SANFL and NEAFL competitions would be postponed until May 31.
A number of south-west footballers feature in those programs.
The AFL also unveiled plans for a 17-round season - six less than planned.
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Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
