The GOTAFE Goulburn Valley League’s (GVL) number one priority is the health and wellbeing of its supporters, players, umpires, officials, partners, volunteers and committees and everyone across all our local communities.
As concerns about the spread of COVID-19 increase, the AFL and Netball Victoria have been in a series of daily meetings with key stakeholders. Both organisations have issued statements and a series of recommendations in relation to community football and netball.
The board of the GOTAFE GVL met last night to review these recommendations. The board has endorsed that the start date of all GOTAFE GVL football and netball competitions be postponed until 31 May 2020. This means that the competition will commence on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.
As per the advice of the AFL, the GVL is also advising that its clubs also apply this delay to all football and netball training sessions, meetings, social gatherings and face to face education sessions.
GOTAFE GVL Board Chairman David Roff says, “Whilst we are disappointed that we will not be able to kick off our football and netball seasons as we had planned, we understand that by following the recommendations of AFL, AFL Goulburn Murray, Netball Victoria, the Federal Government and World Health Organisation we will be doing all we can to ensure the health and safety of everyone within our communities. We can then hopefully get back to playing the games we love, albeit a little later than planned.”
There will be a GOTAFE GVL Club Presidents meeting next week where the board will work with all clubs within the league to ensure that the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone is maintained for all within our football and netball family.
Due to the shortened season, the Interleague match between the GOTAFE GVL & SS&A O&M will be postponed until 2021.
Goulburn Valley League Operations Manager Josephine Spencer says, “We are monitoring the COVID-19 situation daily, with any updates to be communicated to all key stakeholders as they become available. This is a rapidly evolving and ever-changing situation and maintaining strong lines of communications with our clubs, stakeholders and the general wider community is going to be key in coming weeks and months.”
As an organisation and as individuals, the GOTAFE GVL Board is committed to positive action during this time. David Roff says, “It is imperative that we all work together to ensure that engagement within our clubs is maintained and that everyone involved with clubs maintains strong links to their clubs. By taking these measures, we hope that everyone will be able to get back to playing football and netball quickly.”
For the latest news from the GVL please keep checking our website www.gvleague.com.au or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
You can also find more information from AFL Goulburn Murray by visitng:
https://www.aflgoulburnmurray.com.au/covid-19-and-afl-goulburn-murray-faqs/
