Following the announcement by the Victorian Government and the State Premier this afternoon that metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire Council have returned to Stage 3 restrictions, Football Victoria (FV) confirms that all football-related activity must cease in those areas for the duration of the lockdown.
While this is disappointing for our clubs and players, the health and wellbeing of our community remains the highest priority.
The restrictions will come into force at 11:59pm on Wednesday 8 July and will last for six weeks.
FV understands that this means all football activity must be halted - inclusive of matches, training, clinics and group practice - for the length of the lockdown period in the affected areas.
Further, we understand that outside of these areas, football activity can continue. Associations and clubs in those regional areas will be contacted in the coming days to work through the available options.
Football Victoria recognises this is an incredibly frustrating development for all Victorians and in particular the football community, especially given that many competitions either recently resumed or were set to re-start in the weeks ahead.
FV will work through this latest announcement in detail - and in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Sport and Recreation Victoria (SRV) - and, in collaboration with our community, will provide further updates as more information becomes available.
We thank our stakeholders for their patience and understanding as we work through the implications of this announcement and consider our options for the season over the coming days.
Football Victoria Chief Executive Peter Filopoulos urged all stakeholders to continue their remarkable display of unity.
“This is an incredibly unfortunate moment. Just as football was returning to our pitches, we’re again faced with lockdowns across Victoria," he said. “However, we simply must prioritise the health and safety of our families and loved ones.
Mr Filopoulos said the football community would rally around each other.
“Please stay strong, please stay healthy and continue to support your communities. We will get through this together.”