Football training given the all-clear, start date announced

Clubs will be free to train in groups of 10 from Monday, May 25 after coronavirus restrictions were eased.

But only two groups of 10 will be permitted to use an oval at one time with the field to be split into two zones.

Warrnambool's Matt O'Brien said three zones would've been easier to manage.

"I was disappointed to see there was only two groups of 10 on the ground," he said.

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"Even at junior footy you've probably got a squad of 22 to 24 kids and senior footy you've got seniors and reserves and maybe some under 18s training as well.

"You could potentially have 40 (at one time) so managing that could be really difficult."

O'Brien said clubs would have to use their initiative to make it work.

"If you use our club as an example, on a Thursday we would have junior teams training from 4.30pm and the girls would be training from 5pm, the under 18s would start at 5.30pm and the seniors at 6pm," he said.

"That's seven teams and a minimum 140 people going through that ground in a couple of hours.

"We're going to be more creative, thinking about what nights we're training. Even when there's no matches on that opens up opportunities for weekend training."

He expects more protocols to be announced this week including access to clubrooms and hygiene standards.

Country football was put on hold in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Hampden and Warrnambool and District league clubs have raised concerns about playing senior games without crowds, citing the financial strain.

The Standard has sought comment from AFL Western District and the Hampden league.

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