Months of cancellations of sporting competitions and events during the COVID-19 pandemic have meant people of all ages had to find other ways to keep fit and healthy.
But as restrictions ease across Victoria and NSW, there now appears to be light at the end of the tunnel.
And that light is going to shine brighter than ever this weekend as sport gets back into full swing.
Little Athletics hit the track last Saturday morning at its third attempt – poor weather got the better of the centre in its first two weeks.
It spoke volumes of 2020 really.
Campaspe Valley Bowls Division finally got rolling – also facing its own weather issues in the mid-week competition on Friday.
Some junior cricket teams have already taken to the field in Goulburn Murray Cricket, but the men and women’s competitions will start on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
In men’s A grade, reigning premiers Kyabram Fire Brigade will once again be the team to beat, while Echuca is aiming to go back-to-back in the senior women’s division.
Echuca senior coach Jon Varcoe said excitement had been building around the club in recent weeks.
“It’s a massive week for us to get so many teams up and running,” he said.
“We’re just looking forward to the opportunity of playing some competitive games. We want to be competitive this season and our aim is to have all teams make finals.
“I don’t think there’s any extra pressure on our women’s team because it’s a new different season with new teams in the competition. We’re just embracing the challenge ahead of us.
“One of our biggest focuses as a club this season is to make sure everyone is enjoying themselves on and off the field.”
Tennis courts across the twin towns will also be packed to the brim – as much as COVID-19 restrictions allow anyway – with the Campaspe Tennis Association and Goulburn Murray Lawn Tennis Association to play their first matches of the season.
Rich River president Andrew Crossman said it was pleasing to for competition to get underway after so much uncertainty.
“Everyone is excited to get out there and have a bit of fun,” he said.
“Talking to people I think there were some concerns whether people would come back given what we are all facing now.
“If you are to be successful this year, I think it would just be a bonus for any club.
“I see being able to play competitive matches as a win for the community.”
Organising competitions will also become much easier in coming weeks with the NSW-Victoria border set to re-open from November 23.
One of the biggest benefactors in the twin towns is Moama Cricket Club.
“That decision is going to make life a lot easier for us going forward,” Moama president Kirk Teasdale said.
“I think it will benefit our junior teams most because they are playing games at 5pm on weeknights and getting across the bridge can be very slow.
“But to GMC’s credit they have organised our games in Echuca for the first several weeks of the season.
“We just can’t wait to get started.”
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