Comment: Regional sporting clubs deserve clarity from state government

With each passing day, the likelihood of a return to play dims.

A week ago Victorian Premier Dan Andrews announced regional Victoria could come out of COVID-19 lockdown this week.

Since then details have been scarce.

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We've been told it won't be a "snap back" and to expect some restrictions to remain in place.

So what does it mean for community sport?

The short answer is we don't know.

It's left leagues, clubs, players and volunteers guessing and rightfully frustrated.

The region's four competitions - Hampden, Warrnambool and District, Mininera and District and South West District - have tentative plans in place to resume their seasons.

All four of those competitions have also set end dates.

They will cancel their seasons if no play is permitted by those dates.

Hampden and Warrnambool and District have opted for two-week series', cutting their traditional four-week campaigns in half.

Warrnambool and District decided it would resume as soon as permitted, forgoing an option to have a week of training.

It means it could return for one-versus-four and two-versus-three semi-finals this weekend.

Clubs might not know until Wednesday or Thursday whether they can play, potentially leaving a rush to prepare after a month on the sidelines.

Planning has become a difficult task in the COVID-era.

The ever-changing nature of the pandemic means agility is crucial and public health advice is number one.

But there also comes a time when people need clarity.

Clubs, teams and players want to play but they also crave direction either way.

If they can't play, tell them. The constant stringing on helps no one.

It causes anxiety and stress.

The leagues have done their part.

They've set dates, they've been proactive and that is to be commended.

Now it's time for the state government to do likewise and provide some clarity.

The tricky 2021 season, which could come to an abrupt halt or result in premiership glory, arrived with an air of anticipation.

The first half was played with relative ease.

Fans were allowed through the gates and we, the public, soon felt life was returning to pre-pandemic levels.

But the second half of the season was a different story.

Community sport was forced to duck and weave as one lockdown was followed by another.

Sometimes players didn't know if they were playing until the night before.

And, in the case of the most recent setback, news filtered out at 8pm on a Friday night that regional sport was to be cancelled, throwing finals campaigns which were to start the following day into disarray.

Now, whether it's play on or game over, either way those involved just want to know.