The snap regional lockdown caused havoc for sporting clubs and bodies in the Eurobodalla Shire, as almost all organised sport across the region was called off.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This included two Group 16 finals in Moruya and Pambula, and the Batemans Bay Seahawks' last home game against ADFA.
All Eurobodalla Football Association games were also called off, while AFL Sapphire Coast played one match before the lockdown was announced.
Now, with the ACT's lockdown set to be extended after 19 cases were announced on Monday, each sporting code is in a state of uncertainty as to whether their competitions will be able to resume in the near future.
Group 16 chairman Allan Wilton said his competition hadn't received any official direction from the NSWRL.
NSWRL has already cancelled all rugby league competitions in Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, and the Illawarra, and cancelled Group 7 rugby league earlier today.
"We've got a board meeting tonight (Monday) where we'll discuss the competition's immediate future," Mr Wilton said.
"At this point in time we're waiting for further information from the Department of Health, and we'll reassess at that point.
"We hope to complete the competition, but there will be a point in time where we may have to make a tough decision.
"We'll also speak to the four first-grade clubs who are still in the competition and seek their thoughts and input about restarting."
The Eurobodalla Football Association cancelled all games scheduled for last weekend, and will discuss the path forward in the near future.
"Due to the sudden lockdown for regional NSW on Saturday, the Board has not had a chance to discuss contingency plans for our current season," an EFA spokesperson said.
"At this stage, all football activities have ceased as per the current public health orders for community sport."
The AFL Sapphire Coast is facing a similar dilemma, with half of the final round called off due to the lockdown.
"We're an AFL managed league, so as a state body we're all talking about how best to navigate through this," competition and development co-ordinator Mitch Wallis said.
READ MORE: Crews rush to Moruya home engulfed in flames
"We don't have any answers yet, but our priority is to get the season completed if we can.
"We want to get a full finals series completed, but how that looks and how it's made up is yet to be determined.
"We'll have to see how long our lockdown is, and how it impacts our clubs.
"All of our clubs have done so much for the community, we want to complete the season for them if we can."
AFL Canberra, which features three Batemans Bay teams in its lower grades, also confirmed its desire to complete the season.
"It is AFL Canberra's main intention to ensure we can finish off all seasons, being juniors, community and seniors," community football and competition manager Firas Shahin said.
"Discussions with other winter and sporting codes, as well as ACT Sportsgrounds will take place to assist in planning for a return to play when it is safe to do so.
"We're hoping to organise a meeting with the clubs and other relevant stakeholders to give them vital information either later this week or early next week."
Joel Erickson
Contact me at j.erickson@austcommunity.com.au or 0447 796 748.
Contact me at j.erickson@austcommunity.com.au or 0447 796 748.
