WAFC Junior Football updateFriday, June 5, 2020 - 1:33 PM

The West Australian Football Commission is pleased to confirm that the 2020 junior football season will commence in WA from Saturday, July 18, in line with WAFC Return to Play Guidelines and State Government Covid-19 restrictions.

With the easing of State Government restrictions to allow contact sport and group gatherings of up to 100 people from tomorrow, Saturday June 6, the WAFC will be working with all junior football competitions, clubs, umpires and volunteers to help finalise their safe return to play after the July school holidays.

This will include confirming venue availability and facility access conditions with Local Governments, completing fixtures, updating by-laws and taking new player registrations. 

With this in mind, it is acknowledged that not all junior football competitions will be ready to resume on July 18. Each competition will be supported and encouraged to aim for this target date, and participants will be advised by their respective club or competition once finalised.
      
From tomorrow, Saturday June 6, full team training will also be permitted to occur with contact and match simulation, providing more than a month for players to prepare for their return to play and opportunities to participate in inter-club practice matches.

It is hoped this will also allow time for families to travel within WA during the July school holidays and support local businesses and regional communities before returning home to kick off the footy season. 

Updated Return to Training protocols and a revised 10-point Checklist must be completed to ensure all clubs are continuing to follow State Government requirements at training under the new June 6 conditions.

Updated Return to Training checklists and Frequently Asked Questions, applicable from June 6, can be viewed and downloaded by CLICKING HERE

We would like to thank and acknowledge the State Government, in particular Sport & Recreation Minster Hon. Mick Murray, and Health Minister Hon. Roger Cook, for their ongoing support of WA Football and our community.

Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray said: "As a key member of the community, the WA Football Commission has worked collaboratively with the State Government and followed all health and safety protocols that have been put in place."

"I am delighted that junior football will return soon, and to see West Australian kids getting back to doing what they love in playing football."

Health Minister Roger Cook said: "There’s nothing better for children than to release some of their endless energy playing sport."

"COVID-19 restrictions have meant the footy season has had to be postponed, which has been hard on Western Australian kids used to participating in the wide open spaces of this beautiful State."
 
"With Phase 3 of WA’s COVID-19 Roadmap kicking in, that’s about to change for our junior footy players."

"In the coming weeks, children from all across Western Australia will take to footy fields all over the State for that first kick, mark, or goal of the season."
 
"Participation in community sport offers children an opportunity for fitness, fun, and friends, which is important for their overall health and wellbeing."
 
"The Go for 2&5 Junior Football Healthway partnership encourages healthy eating and is helping to build happier, healthier, and more active communities across the State."
 
"While Phase 3 has given the go-ahead to contact sport, we can’t give up all the good work that Western Australians have done so far to stop the community spread of COVID-19."
 
"Remember to practise good hygiene by washing your hands regularly and  physically distancing wherever it’s practicable."
 
"I wish all the footballers, officials, and volunteers a safe return to play."

The WAFC will continue to engage with the State Government on the next steps for community football in WA and timing for the increase of spectators at games, as we appreciate that spectators play such an important role in supporting the financial viability of our clubs right across WA.

Now more than ever, we will also need our army of volunteers to support our great game. For our existing volunteers, thanks for your support during this crisis and for your contribution to the game. We are also calling on all parents to assist their team and club in any way possible this season so that we can all contribute to making the 2020 junior football season as successful as possible.

On behalf of the WA Football Commission, we’d like to thank you for your efforts to date and ongoing support as we prepare for a safe and exciting return to play.

We look forward to seeing everyone back at the footy soon!

Sincerely,

Wayne Martin

WAFC Chairman

Gavin Taylor

WAFC CEO