GCJFL to start season on July 25

The competition will start a week after the Shepparton District Football League, which is scheduled to begin its season this weekend.

GCJFL chairman Chris Thomas said while things may change down the line, the whole league supported returning to the park.

“There has been a keen appetite for the junior players to return to play after many clubs had begun training,” he said.

“There was a 100 per cent move in favour of returning to play, including the need to follow the protocols set down from AFL Vic in conjunction with the Victorian State Government, with the safety of players, parents and officials in mind.

“Circumstances may change with the movement of the pandemic and clubs are prepared for that if a withdrawal is needed. However, the view to play while we can was the popular vote.”

Local clubs Echuca, Echuca United, Moama and Tongala are affiliated clubs with the competition.

Round one will have a set fixture put in place, though the competition will look at a floating fixture for the remainder of the season.

An eight-to-10 week block of games will be played, though no finals will be played, and no league medals will be awarded at the end of the season.

But the message is clear from the competition - let the kids play while they can.

“We are lucky in our region to be able to have our young players enjoy the outdoors and take up the opportunity to have a game,” Thomas said.