By Anthony Barbagallo
Saints FC in action against CYMS. PHOTO: Anthony Barbagallo
Key points
- Pre-game practices such as handshaking replaced by NSW COVID-safe soccer regulations
- Some double-header weekends: playing two games on a weekend the new norm
- Fewer teams registered for this shortened ODFA 2020 season, especially in the second division
After the easing of several sport COVID-19 restrictions in NSW, the soccer season in Orange is finally back in action.
While a second wave is currently affecting several amateur sporting codes in Sydney and forced the cancellation of most sport in Melbourne, the sporting landscape in the Central West is slowly returning to normality. But local and national soccer won’t function per usual until there is a COVID-19 vaccine or unless Australia chooses to eradicate the virus.
The new rule and competition changes to Orange soccer
With most ODFA senior players relishing the chance to play on the field again, it will take some time to settle into the new COVID safe soccer environment. No shaking hands before and after the game, celebrating goals individually and playing without crowds are some of the new regulations.
And with the ODFA senior grades commencing earlier this month, this means there will only be three months of soccer action. With a regular amateur soccer season usually lasting six months, this year’s season will feature several double-header weekends – playing a game on the Saturday and Sunday.
Daniel Holley, president and player of Saints FC, explains how several double-header weekends could cause injury concerns among most of his squad’s players.
“The COVID-19 lockdown disrupted the fitness routine of many soccer players, and the lack of fitness will be evident once we start playing two matches in consecutive days,” Mr Holley stated.
Competition challenges
Another issue that has surfaced after the delayed start is the number of teams that pulled out of this year’s soccer season, especially in the second division. With the B Grade usually boasting 10 or 11 sides over the last couple of years, this season’s second-tier only saw six teams register. Daniel Holley thinks the B Grade competition won’t be the same challenging one as in recent times.
“The lack of teams in the second division will limit competitive diversity, which means playing too many repetitive fixtures.”
For now, most of the players and teams are just happy to be playing soccer again – hoping that NSW avoids another shutdown and sports disruption.