NO FOOTBALL or netball will played in south-west Victoria until June after AFL Western District decided to postpone the start of its associated leagues' 2020 seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, AFLWD announced no games would be played until after May 31.
The Hampden, Warrnambool and District, South West District, Mininera football netball leagues and Western Victoria Female Football League are all impacted by the postponement.
Group training, Auskick and school football programs have also been postponed until the end of May.
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AFLWD and its leagues have taken advice from AFL, AFL Victoria and relevant government agencies in determining their decision to postpone the season.
Commercial and operations manager Matt Ross said the leagues and clubs were all on the same page with postponing the season.
"It was a collaborative approach and everyone was wanting to exercise common sense as health and safety is key and there was too much of a risk to go ahead," he said.
AFLWD said the decision would be reviewed in mid-April should the situation drastically change for the better and is prepared to amend the direction to commence competitions at the beginning of May.
It is also working with all leagues on strategies to sustain during the period of the pandemic.
Ross said fixturing and the way the season will play out will be discussed at a later date.
He added that it could be similar to the AFL's approach of every team playing each other once.
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