GVL eyes April start

GVL chairman David Roff said the league had been in regular contact with the 12 clubs since the start of the pandemic, including through the cancellation of the 2020 season.

Roff said the discussions remained ongoing, but all decisions would depend on restrictions, as a number of factors would directly influence the start of the season.

“We will continue to await the announcements from state government in relation to the further easing of restrictions, including those around crowd numbers, the numbers of people at outdoor gatherings, whether contact training and play can resume and numbers in a hospitality setting,” he said.

“These announcements will be major deciding factors as to whether the 2021 season goes ahead and if so in what format.”

Roff said while there was a lot still to play out, the league was planning for an early April start, and that a fixture was currently in the works.

“Pending the further easing of these restrictions, it is hoped that season 2021 will commence in early April for all grades of football and netball competition,” he said.

“A draft fixture is currently being finalised and is expected to be ratified at the November president’s meeting.”

While the league said it was desperate to get both football and netball action back underway, they reiterated protecting the community around the league was its number one priority.

The league revealed the planning on November 12, coinciding with the announcement that the Murray Football and Netball League was also targeting an early April starting date.