2021 Central Coast community football season cancelled

It is with regret that the AFL HCC Board has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 AFL Central Coast community football season due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the current COVID-19 outbreak across Greater Sydney. This decision also extends to our NAB AFL Auskick programs in the region.

We appreciate the announcement will disappoint our many players, coaches, umpires and volunteers who invest so much time, effort and energy in the season.

AFL HCC shares in the immense disappointment to be unable to complete the 2021 competition in its entirety however today’s outcome is the unfortunate reality of the challenges the pandemic continues to throw at the community.

In reaching our decision, it became increasingly apparent that with the continued escalating health crisis there can be, understandably, no NSW Government sanctioned road map out of the lockdown for sport provided at the moment. It is equally clear, that the time frames of a possible return and ability to resume competitions are now not viable for winter sporting codes.

Accordingly, no Premierships, Medals, or awards will be given for 2021 cancelled competitions.

We’d like to acknowledge the collegiate approach shown by our colleagues in the other major winter codes, particularly NSWRL, Football, Netball, Rugby Union and Hockey, who have been forced to make similar heartbreaking decisions in relation to their own competitions.

Our priority remains supporting our clubs, players, officials and volunteers through these challenging circumstances and focusing on preparing for playing footy again in 2022.

If the opportunity arises to gather our football community in an informal manner prior to the traditional end of the winter season we will do so, as well as provide further opportunities for participants and Clubs to join our spring alternate format competitions of AFL 9s and Junior AFLX if they are able to proceed in October.

AFL NSW/ACT and the HCC Board is committed to working closely with our network to minimise the financial impact of the cancellation on our clubs and participants where possible and the details of our support will be communicated to Clubs in the coming days.

We will also seek opportunities to engage Clubs and participants in the months ahead and prioritise season 2022 planning and player retention incentives to ensure a strong return to footy as soon as it is safe to do so.

We look forward to a return to a sense of normality in the coming months for community sport and working together to get back to footy when it’s safe to do so.