LIKE many people The Standard's journalists are adapting to a period with minimal regional sport amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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Our reporters Brian Allen, Sean Hardeman, Justine McCullagh-Beasy and Nick Ansell are eager to talk sport via The Commentary Box.
JUSTINE: List management is an integral part of sport, at any level. With the coronavirus pandemic wiping out senior footy in the south-west this year it's given clubs more time to focus on next season. Koroit has already enticed two-time premiership player Tim McIntyre back while four Hampden clubs, including the Saints, have re-signed coaches. I suspect most players will remain committed to the clubs they were meant to play for this year but there could be a bit of movement with some returning to their own stomping grounds after time away. What do you think?
NICK: I think it'll definitely go one of two ways and it will probably vary depending on certain clubs. Koroit, for example, seems like they'll be on the right end of it and I think there will be a theme of unfinished business floating around the leagues. I wonder if many players will leave sport altogether? The impact of coronavirus on participation numbers will be fascinating. I suspect a lot of list management success leading into 2021 will come down to how well clubs can sell a project to a player. Coaches have to be good at selling regardless but this will take things up a notch.
BRIAN: I've heard in other media regional Australia is likely to become more popular for people to live because of the pandemic. There's more personal space in the regions. My thinking is that we'll see some new football and netball faces to the south-west in the next few years. So Nick, I'm with you, selling your club is the best way to attract newcomers. The proof is there in the article you wrote this week about Allansford recruit Ryan Spokes from Bendigo. He said "Allansford just kept coming up" when he was asking around which Warrnambool and District league footy club to join. The challenge for each club is ensuring their name gets brought up in these conversations. South-west clubs should be commended for the way they've promoted their sponsors and looked after their communities during this tough year. Do you think we'll see more city slickers move to the country in the near future?
SEAN: I agree Brian. Most of the clubs down here do a really good job of marketing themselves on social media and are always very active with trying to get people to join their clubs. When I first moved down here and started meeting people within the football/netball clubs in the area, most asked if I played footy or would like to play. As for more city slickers moving down I'm not sure yet. How the rest of the year plays out and job opportunities and the continuation of working from home will play a big part in whether we see more people move away from the city looking for a sea-change. But if they do I'm sure most of the clubs in the area will be floating about ready to add to their communities.
JUSTINE: I think anyone who was considering a sea-change to a regional area before coronavirus might have had the push they needed to make a decision. If so, it could prove a bonus for sporting clubs - football, netball, soccer, basketball and hockey. There appears to be a sense of unfinished business among local football coaches. Do you expect this wasted year to inspire some to stay on and complete what they started?
BRIAN: Many would feel like it's been a long pre-season and 2021 is now the 2020 they were preparing for. So, yes, I believe they would still be thinking they're working towards putting together a top season. But overall I feel most people just want to get back to what they were doing pre-COVID-19. The pause button has been pressed on many aspects of life, especially fun activities like sports. You often hear of AFL coaches completing courses at overseas universities during the off-season. I wonder if any south-west mentors have undertaken education to help their coaching.
NICK: I reckon you're right, Justine. We've seen already with the property market how tough it can be to get a break with loads of Melbourne-based people coming down here. Hopefully that means good things for clubs and participation numbers.
SEAN: It will also be interesting to see what 2021 holds in terms of players as well. We might see some older players who were thinking of hanging up the boots have one more chance at chasing a flag or if there is someone who has had a serious injury in the lead-up to 2020 or in the past who needed this break to refresh to come back stronger than ever. It also might draw some people who haven't played sport in a while to come out and play once again.
