AFL South East (AFLSE) would like to issue the following statement regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) and the present and potential impact on the upcoming football and netball season and associated AFLSE events.

The AFL has set up a National Working Group which will provide direction and advice for Community Football. An update from the AFL is expected shortly; we will then be in a position to provide a further update at that stage regarding the conduct of training and matches.

AFLSE puts the welfare of all participants in our community at the forefront of all we do and will look at all necessary precautions to ensure a safe environment is provided to all participants and spectators.

The situation regarding COVID-19 is rapidly changing but – effective immediately and on advice from the AFL and AFL Victoria – we provide the following update for community football, netball and umpiring.

1.Communication with AFLSE Staff

All AFLSE staff have been advised to work from home this week – Monday 16 to Friday 20 March – with all day-to-day operational matters to be dealt with via email or mobile-phone communication.

Contact details of all AFLSE staff can be found on the AFL South East website www.aflsoutheast.com.au

We believe this is in the best interest of staff and will allow productive workings on respective areas of responsibility.

2.AFLSE Online Deliveries

All AFLSE On-Line orders will now be sent directly to clubs to avoid the necessity of clubs having to come to Casey Fields which is currently closed.

Please note that due to this change, clubs will be invoiced the delivery charge as per the supplier invoice. The delivery fee will vary depending on the size and distance of the goods delivered.

We encourage clubs to speak to the supplier regarding delivery options.

3.Umpire Training

Umpire Training will be suspended across the AFLSE Region until further notice.

4.Club Training

As previously communicated, clubs that wish to proceed with training sessions should do so following a common-sense approach to the conduct of those sessions by implementing the following;

• Players should bring their own drink bottles which are identified and not be shared
• Personal contact such as shaking hands should be avoided
• Players should avoid removing mouthguards during training
• Trainers to be extra vigilant.

5.2020 Season

AFLSE will take advice from the AFL and AFL Victoria in relation to preparations for the start of the season. Key operational staff are currently working on different scenarios on how the season may look in the case of an expected delayed commencement to the 2020 season.

6.Practice Matches

Awaiting further advice from the AFL Working Party.

7.League Meetings/Forums

All face-to-face league meetings and forums across the AFLSE region have been suspended until further notice. Where possible and appropriate meetings will be conducted through online meetings or webinars.

The relevant Operational Staff will provide details for each of the relevant meetings well in advance.

8.Next Generation Academies (NGA)

Melbourne Football Club and StKilda FC have advised that they have suspended the NGA programs for at least the next two weeks and will review that position on a regular basis.

At this stage, no decision has been made in respect to the AFLSE Regional Junior Championships.

9.Representative Football

AFLSE is currently considering the impact of Covid-19 on the South Eastern Women’s Football League Representative Match against Southern FNL.