JUNIOR athletes of the region have again been forced to hang up their boots due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
Community sport has been put back on ice after the Victorian Government placed regional Victoria under Stage Three restrictions for six weeks starting at midnight tonight, in an effort to reign in the state’s persistently high case numbers.
The Goulburn Valley Hockey Association, Shepparton Junior Soccer Association, Shepparton District Junior Football League and the Goulburn Valley League juniors have all wrapped up their seasons.
The cancellation comes after the Goulburn Valley League juniors called off Round Two of their competition at the 11th hour on Friday after the possibility of positive COVID-19 cases was linked to “several GVL clubs”.
In a statement, the Shepparton District Junior Football League board praised everyone involved in getting their belated, shortened season off the ground.
League president, Mark Lambourn said he was proud and excited by the commitment and the leadership of club members, officials and parents.
“We can be disappointed, and we are, but more than that the season has not been for nothing,” he said.
“We can only be proud of the way in which club officials sought to embrace an unusual set of circumstances and tried to make it work. It has been a collaborative effort and shows just important junior sport is to our community.
“We gave it every chance. We gave it our best for the kids to have some sport and recreation and unfortunately events beyond our control have brought the season to an end.”
