HCC Football Update – July 22

With further extensions to the stay-at-home order up until 11:59pm on 30 July, currently on the Central Coast there is unfortunately no community football matches, training, Auskick or events while these restrictions remain in place. Existing restrictions for regional NSW will remain until that date.

The AFL Hunter Central Coast are working through scenarios around allowing the continuation of play in the Hunter region, given community sport is able to go ahead in this region; as well as keeping the competition integrity given the Central Coast aren’t able to participate at this time.

To assist AFL HCC scenario planning, the League has sought information and feedback from clubs related to feasibility and preferences for a full return to training and playing, post the Greater Sydney lockdown. It is important to highlight that the current COVID-19 outbreak has impacted differently across the four HCC competitions (Seniors, combined juniors, Hunter only juniors and Central Coast only juniors) and has therefore created additional challenges not faced by other AFL leagues or sporting codes. Consequently, contingency plans specific to each competition are required to accommodate these variations.

The League has been touching base with some of the summer sports to help with ground use if there is the possibility of the season having to be extended slightly. Given the uncertainty of when the current lockdown orders are finishing, there will be information sent out that will include multiple potential competition structures, due to this uncertainty of returning to play. The League in consultation with the Board, envisage to send more information on this to our clubs later next week, once club feedback is in.

We understand this is a difficult time for all those in the Central Coast region and would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your patience, support, and input during this challenging time for us all.

AFL HCC passes on our best to our footy community and hope everyone is doing well.