AFL North West clubs have been given the green light to return to training but they'll have to abide by some strict protocols.
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In a statement from AFL NSW/ACT, acting CEO Tiffany Robertson said clubs and participants must "follow the relevant government guidelines and AFL NSW/ACT's Return to Small Group Training Protocols".
Clubs can now train in groups of up to 10 with no physical contact allowed. However, footballs can be used.
Three separate groups can train on the one oval but those groups are not to mix and each club must nominate at least one COVID safety officer.
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The list of protocols is extensive - a full list can be found at aflnswact.com.au/return-to-play - but AFL North West president Sonia Martin said they were precautions that needed to be taken.
"It's exciting to be able to get together again and train but obviously we''ll be taking it carefully and cautiously," Martin said.
"We're a small part of the community and the health and well-being of the whole community is the bigger picture but we also understand the importance of local sport, particularly in rural communities."
The AFL North West executive and club presidents met on Thursday night to discuss the return to training and Martin said that was well-received.
"The engagement from club presidents has been awesome and a willingness to work together is extraordinary," Martin said.
"We've had to be flexible not knowing how the game might be structured but it's definitely going to be competitive, serious football."
AFL North West are still tentatively aiming for a mid-July start to the season and Martin had her "fingers crossed" that would happen.
"We'd love for [a season start] to be then but only if it's safe," Martin said.
Martin also paid credit to the AFL and Cricket Australia. She said AFL had been working with CA about the potential of local comps running into October.
Full statement from AFL NSW/ACT can be found here.
