CONFUSION has reigned supreme in discussions surrounding the prospects of a 2020 Western Border Football season.
At the centre of it all is Casterton Sandford, which has been disadvantaged by the current border closure.
The team’s new playing-coach Tom Renzi lives in Mount Gambier and cannot travel between the two locations, while his playing group continues to fall behind its interstate rivals.
South Australian clubs are allowed to complete full-contact training, while the Cats must adhere to AFL Victoria protocols, which do not allow such freedom.
On the other side of the border, training sessions must be split into two groups of 10 with no contact allowed.
Last week The Border Watch incorrectly reported the Victorian club has been unable to train due to the region’s restrictions.
However, this is not the case after the Glenelg Shire Council re-opened the Island Park precinct on Wednesday, May 13.
Casterton Sandford committee member Jane Richardson said the club regrets the recent uncertainty.
She believes there is still a strong relationship, with the Cats in regular contact with the Council, WBFL, SANFL and Victorian Government.
“We are sorry for the confusion,” Richardson said.
“The whole Island Park area – which includes bowling, croquet, football, netball and tennis playing areas – is owned by the Glenelg Shire Council, so we are a tenant.
“We pay rent for the Council to allow us on the ground.
“We are under the advisement of the Glenelg Shire Council with Victorian Government rules.”
Glenelg Shire Council recreation coordinator Hayley Rowe said there had been some initial conjecture within the community about Council’s role in enforcing training restrictions, which has now been clarified.
“With so much mixed messaging and the restrictions changing ever so frequently, it was only natural there was some misunderstanding about the Council’s role in the situation,” she said.
“Training restrictions are not enforced by Council, this goes far beyond our control.
“Training and social gathering restrictions are set by the State Government and relevant peak bodies.
“The Council’s only involvement is providing access to the recreation reserve.”
Although small-group training is now permitted in Victoria, the Cats are still not intending to return to the field.
Richardson said the team will not start training unless three key matters are addressed before football resumes.
“We have not started training yet,” she said.
“It is a bit up in the air because there are too many variables.
“Firstly we need crowds, secondly the border has to open and thirdly we need to train for a few weeks with contact otherwise many players might get injured.
“If we cannot let our fans through the gate, there is no point trying to go ahead.”
With the intensity starting to ramp up across the border, Richardson fears Casterton Sandford is already significantly disadvantaged.
“We are on an island at the moment,” she said.
“It makes it hard with Tom (Renzi) unable to cross the border.
“The guys have just been doing their own training, but it is nothing like contact sessions on a Thursday night.”
Rowe feels equally frustrated for the Cats’ unique predicament.
She said the Council will continue to support the club and hopes a return to training can be possible soon.
“It is incredibly hard for Victorian based clubs such as Casterton Sandford in cross-border competitions,” Rowe said.
“With the rest of the league allowed to train at a greater capacity, it leaves Victorian clubs disadvantaged and places inequity in the competition before it even starts.
“We have been working closely with the club to provide access to Island Park and support where we can.
“With the further easing of restrictions this week throughout Victoria, there will be opportunities for the Cats to increase their training capacities and restore some equity.”
