Football Federation Australia (FFA) has today advised that the temporary suspension to sanctioned grassroots football competitions will remain in place until at least 31 May 2020. This follows ongoing developments, including stricter measures implemented by the State and Federal Governments in response to COVID-19. (See FFA Circular, 1 April 2020 )
The suspension will continue to apply to all sanctioned matches and competitions, including National Premier Leagues, FFA Cup, youth and grassroots football (including MiniRoos and futsal) as well as all training and associated football related activities.
The decision is another in a series of measures taken by FFA in response to COVID-19 in consultation with its State and Territory Member Federations and the National COVID-19 Working Committee.
Football Tasmania CEO Matt Bulkeley backed the decision and said the Football community would continue to play its role in the fight against COVID-19.
“Football Tasmania supports this decision as the health and safety of the wider community should be everyone’s number one priority. Our football community has a responsibility to contribute to the national efforts to help slow down the spread of COVID-19 and we will continue to play our role in this.”
Bulkeley reinforced Football Tasmania’s commitment to providing competitions in 2020 whenever it was safe to do so.
“I would like to re-assure the football community that whenever the season is able to re-commence there will be competitions provided for them. We know that our large, passionate base of football participants will be desperate to get back on the field playing competitive football again and we will provide them the opportunity to do so.”
“The competitions will look a little different to a normal season and they will require flexibility from both our clubs and local councils, but we are confident that by working collaboratively we will be able to get people back to playing the game we all love as soon as it is safe to do so.”
In the meantime, in order to help the grassroots football community stay active and connected throughout the temporary suspension period, FFA, in conjunction with the Member Federations, have recently launched an online Skills Hub. To access the Skills Hub and get involved with the #PlayAtHomeChallenge participants are encouraged to visit www.playfootball.com.au/skills-hub.
Football Tasmania has also recently launched an E-Sports FIFA 20 Championship, to determine who the best FIFA players are in the state, which will be getting underway in the coming days. There is still time to register for this and join in on the fun at https://footballfedtas.com.au/football-tasmania-fifa-20-championships/.