Northern NSW Football has announced local community football will commence throughout Newcastle and the Hunter Valley from the weekend of 3, 4, 5 July.
NNSWF competitions were postponed indefinitely after the suspension of all football activities in early March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Newcastle Permanent Community Football is now able to return after the NSW government announced this month that community sport could resume from 1 July, with few restrictions, as long as social distancing and personal hygiene were maintained.
Hunter Valley, Macquarie and Newcastle competitions will now start on the weekend of 3, 4, 5 July with junior, senior and Inter-District matches to return.
NNSWF CEO David Eland said he was delighted that community football had been given the go ahead to return.
“This is wonderful news. It has been a difficult few months for everyone however our member zones, community club volunteers and players have been stalwarts in getting football off the ground,” Eland said.
“It is a real positive that Hunter Valley Football, Macquarie Football and Newcastle Football and their players now have a start date to work towards.
“I look forward to hearing all the positive stories of players finally getting back on the park and being able to enjoy playing the sport they love.”
Eland also extended a thank you to long-term major partner in community football Newcastle Permanent for its continued support.
“The financial support, continued encouragement and flexibility provided by Newcastle Permanent empowered Northern NSW Football to continue driving the game and supporting the seven member zones towards the resumption of football,” Eland said.
“Newcastle Permanent’s investment in football also assisted NNSWF to support community clubs to address revenue shortfalls by reducing player registration levies.
“During this time programs such as Newcastle Permanent Coaching Masterclasses have moved on online, broadening the reach to more coaches than previously, and an online Newcastle Permanent Club Volunteer Masterclass Series was introduced to further assist clubs during the COVID-19 lockdown.”
Newcastle Permanent’s investment, which now totals close to $2.9m million over the life of the 12 year partnership, covers all aspects of Community Football, recognising volunteers, coaches, clubs, and referees with award recognition programs and once again providing more than 10,000 free footballs to Entry Level players across the footprint.
NNSWF has provided documentation for clubs surrounding the Return to Play, which can been seen on HERE.
Following the state government’s announcement, football will essentially be going ‘back to normal.’ There will be few restrictions, but social distancing and personal hygiene must be maintained.
