Dear NSFA Members,
I write to you this afternoon to provide an update to the evolving COVID-19 situation and its impact on football.
I would like to begin by thanking you once again for the patience, cooperation and understanding you have shown to myself, the NSFA Board, Club volunteers and towards each other during the last two weeks.
At this point in time, the 2020 football season is postponed, not cancelled.
NSFA, Football NSW and all other Associations are closely monitoring and being led by the Australian Government and relevant health agencies as to the likely commencement date for the 2020 winter season. With this in mind, we are unable to comment on when the season will commence as the situation nationally evolves every 24 hours. As of Tuesday evening, the Australian Government placed limitations on groups of people gathering outside to less than 10 individuals. This firmly underlines football’s approach that no football activity can occur until further notice.
Due to this uncertainty, NSFA are unable to provide further information on player registration refunds until more information is available and the full impact of COVID19 on the football landscape is understood. I once again ask for your patience on the matter and to maintain your registration. NSFA are committed to a pro-rata basis for player registration refunds should the season be severely impacted in any way.
Further decisions will be made by FFA, based on government advice, on April 14th. We will communicate with you at this time as to any new announcements or changes.
We are committed to ensuring that once given the green light, football throughout NSFA can continue as planned. This may result in a modified or shortened season, however at this point in time we cannot comment on this. We are preparing for a 1st May kick-off, with our Competitions Department currently in the process of creating the fixtures lists and ensuring football can take place in a safe environment. Please see the website article for further competition information.
In 2020 there will be no NSFA Cup or Football NSW State Cup competitions. Both NSFA and FNSW have made the decision to forego our Cup competitions in order to prioritise Association competition football. A decision regarding the FFA Cup is yet to be made.
Whilst in isolation and away from work and school, I encourage you to communicate with your teammates and football friends. We are all in the same boat. Whilst we have never encountered a lifestyle situation such as this before, please use this time to call each other, host a video call and ensure that all members of our community know that they belong. You are part of a Club, we are part of NSFA and together we make an extremely proud and strong football fanbase. Together we are stronger.
The exciting challenges that XLR8 Player Development have been posting via social media are being taken up exceptionally well and I am pleased to see players testing themselves and keeping busy, whilst dodging cats, dogs and the occasional family member. Keep it up!
I commit to keeping you informed and up to date on the evolving COVID19 situation and its impact on football for 2020. Our priority is the health and safety of the community and we will follow advice accordingly. Collectively, we have a social responsibility to slow the spread of the virus and it is vital that as Australians we support each other through this time to ensure that life can pick up where it left off and that players, clubs and football can return to the park as soon as possible.
We wish you and your family all the best. Please look after yourself and follow Government advice.
Yours in football,
Edward Ferguson – NSFA CEO and the NSFA Board