VAFA Covid Update - 24 July, 2021
Brett Connell – VAFA CEO
In light of recent State Government announcements, as you have probably anticipated, all VAFA matches scheduled for July 24 are cancelled.
The VAFA Board met last night and considered the following factors:
The uncertainty of the COVID-19 Delta variant circulating within the community
The VAFA Playing Conditions in a COVID-19 Environment Policy
The difficultly of securing school-based venues and premier venues for finals
Our competition’s learnings from 2020
Other competitions’ experience of incomplete seasons
The Board’s decisions:
VAFA Women’s Competitions
The home and away season concluded on Saturday 17 July
We intend to complete a three-week finals series for the top four in each competition – assuming COVID restrictions are lifted (updates will be provided)
All semi-finals will be hosted by the higher ranked club
Also, depending on COVID restrictions, the VAFA is prepared to reschedule the commencement of week one of finals as late as Saturday 14 August
To help support those clubs who don’t qualify for women’s finals but would like to continue to play inter-club or intra-club practice/friendly matches, the VAFA can provide a minimum of one field umpire (and venues in exceptional circumstances). This would provide those clubs with two women’s teams the option of continuing to play for two weeks while their other team is competing in finals.
VAFA Men’s Competitions
All men’s competitions will remain as scheduled in accordance with the VAFA Playing Conditions in a COVID-19 Environment Policy
Semi-finals in ALL men’s sections will be hosted by the higher ranked club
Finals Eligibility
There will be no changes to the current finals’ eligibility rules
Under the Articles of Association, any rule changes are required to be approved by the members at a members’ meeting with twenty-one days’ notice given. This does not fit within the timeframe of women’s finals and for equality purposes, men’s eligibility will not be adjusted
Promotion & Relegation
The Board is currently considering the matter of promotion & relegation for all senior men’s sections and U19 Premier and U19 Division 1 and will advise as soon as possible
The promotion & relegation between Women’s Premier and Premier B Women’s will remain
We will keep you all advised as events unfold.
Thanks in advance for your understanding and support.