NSW community sport will be allowed to return from July 1, just days after the planned restart of the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League.
The league had previously announced a ‘return to play’ plan for June 28, with teams beginning to return to training in groups of 20 in Victoria.
However with NSW restrictions in place, the Border Raiders are still only training in groups of 10 until new guidelines are introduced.
Raiders president Pat Hicks said the return of sport in NSW was a great outcome for the club.
“We were very excited by the announcement,” he said.
“Plans were already in place to return around that date, but because of our base we were shut out of home games.
“We've been waiting for the NSW government, and thankfully they have provided that update which now means we will be able to host games at our ground some time after July 1.”
While Hicks is excited by the prospect of the season starting, he says the restrictions on training are an issue for the club.
“We aren't in a position at the moment where we can run proper match simulation,” he said.
“Other clubs can have 20 train together, which allows for your 10-on-10 or nine-on-nine practices. It's definitely a distinct advantage.
“We also expect Victoria to make a call about contact sport in the next week or so which will mean training can go up a level for those clubs.
“It's definitely a disadvantage, but that's the position that we are and the one we have to work with.
“We have a date now where we can return to what we would like. All we can do is work with what we have in the meantime.”
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