David Braithwaite
THE Latrobe Valley Soccer League has given Sport and Recreation Victoria until Tuesday to provide answers to 10 concerns or it will cancel the 2020 season.
The LVSL board met on Monday night to discuss the possible return of competitions.
The board resolved to set a deadline of 5pm on Tuesday to receive adequate answers from SRV on the 10 issues.
If answers to all of the concerns are not received by the deadline, the 2020 season will be cancelled with immediate effect.
If answers are provided in time, clubs will be asked to consider the information in deciding whether they would like to continue the season.
The league played one round of senior, reserves, second division and women’s matches before the season was suspended because of the coronavirus.
In a statement, LVSL president Allan Roberts said the board maintained its view the welfare and safety of players, coaches, volunteers and spectators was the most important outcome.
“We are also mindful of the important role that community level sport plays in the social and mental health wellbeing of our participants at all levels,” he said.
Roberts said the board had constantly asked SRV and Football Victoria for answers to 10 questions to help clubs make an informed decision regarding the return to play in a safe, sustainable and financially viable way.
“To date we have not received answers or direction on any of these 10 key points,” he said.
Roberts said the board and clubs had endorsed an “all in or all out” approach to resuming the season.
“We must move together as a collective and potentially put any club at risk for 2021 if they cannot participate this season,” he said.
“The LVSL continues to plan for a return to football competitions, but this return is wholly-dependent upon the provision of the requested information from our peak governing bodies to be provided no later than June 30, 2020.
“If a return to what would be deemed as a normal football season is not viable, then the LVSL will engage with our member clubs on other alternate football activities we may be able to provide with the assistance of Football Victoria as a point when it is safe and sustainable to do so.”
On Wednesday, SRV updated its guidelines for the return to training and playing, with FV releasing its revised conditions yesterday morning in response.
1. Clear advice on crowd numbers per venue.
2. Game day social distancing requirements.
3. Game day contact tracing requirements.
4. Changeroom hygiene requirements between games.
5. Timing between matches at a venue.
6. Whether pitches at facilities with more than one will be treated as separate venues.
7. Advice on hospitality services.
8. Finalisation of the fee reductions or refunds.
9. Fee reduction for referees.
10. Advice on the Miniroos junior development program.
