Warrnambool Rangers planning for a return to training following COVID-19 break

The Rangers, which play in the Ballarat and District Soccer Association and South West Victorian Football Association, are the sole winter tenant at Jones Oval.

They share the facility with Warrnambool and District Cricket Association club East Warrnambool which has the tenancy during summer.

MORE SPORT:

Pyke said the Rangers would nut out a return-to-training plan in coming weeks after Football Victoria announced guidelines to fit in with COVID-19 restrictions.

Groups of 10 can train outdoors.

The Rangers have six competition teams containing 80-plus players and an additional 80-plus children in their under 12 mini roos' program.

"We want to get as many people back as possible," Pyke said.

"The lucky thing is the ground we have is shared between us and the cricket club.

"And the cricket being in the off-season, it allows us to have five separate training nights as well as a Saturday morning.

"We could look at spacing out teams' training and time-wise look at giving them a six o'clock and a seven o'clock time slot to ensure everyone gets to train and stay fit.

"That way their coach can also be in regular contact with the players to make sure they're getting the right coaching and training done."

Pyke said the club, which hoped to discuss the situation this week, would be happy to work within the guidelines to ensure players are back on track.

"There's a lot more involved with it. Change rooms aren't allowed to be open," he said. "It really has to be players show up, train and leave. We want to hopefully get the wheels back in motion and get the players back training to get them fit and ready to go for when a season inevitably starts."

Rangers' seasons were put on hold until May 31 after the pandemic outbreak. Pyke remains optimistic the BBSA will run some form of competition in 2020, potentially starting in July.

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.