Below is a statement from Tom Hurley, Head of Community Football SANFL, released yesterday (27/4/20).....

We recently provided an update about the work underway to determine a roadmap for a return to community footy.

Our intention was to provide a more detailed outline at the end this month, following the release of a roadmap for the return of AFL.

Whilst we all want clarity around when the game will return to our fields, this area of work is constantly changing. The announcement by the Prime Minister late last week that the National Cabinet will develop a guiding set of principles for sport at all levels reinforces the extensive work both the AFL and SANFL have been doing to refine our protocols and processes on how and when our seasons will commence.

Federal, State and Territory Governments have also indicated the possibility of easing of some restrictions by around mid-May, should the current low trend of transmission continue. In addition, the National Cabinet has indicated that they will review restrictions at a meeting on May 10, provided the curve is still flattening and testing rates are increasing.

As a result of these developments and reviews, the timetable we will now work to has been revised.

In the week beginning May 11, there will be an announcement from the AFL regarding the elite level with a proposed date for a resumption of training and return to play. An update around timings for a resumption of activity at Community and State League level will be provided once the roadmap for the AFL competition has been announced.

Until such time, the current postponement date for training and matches of May 31 remains the same.

Pleasingly, the Federal and South Australian Government are well aware that it will be vital for local sport to resume and re-connect support networks that are currently stretched or not operating.

We continue to focus on being aligned with the advice of the Government and the relevant medical authorities and are ensuring everything we do protects the health and safety of our participants and wider community.

We thank you for your patience and ongoing collaboration as the planning continues to evolve, and we look forward to being able to provide a more robust update to you following the planned announcement regarding the AFL competition in the second week of May.

In the meantime, we ask that you continue to support each other and keep footy alive in your households and communities.

Take care and stay safe.

Kind Regards,

Tom Hurley

Head of Community Football

SANFL