Border restriction hurdle overcome as Kalangadoo coach ‘given green light’

Dylan Ayton Dsc 1729  TBW Newsgroup
AWESOME EXPERIENCE: Dylan Ayton has been given the green light to cross the border to Kalangadoo to coach the Magpies and described the first night back at training as awesome. Picture: THOMAS MILES

Dylan Ayton Dsc 1729 TBW Newsgroup
AWESOME EXPERIENCE: Dylan Ayton has been given the green light to cross the border to Kalangadoo to coach the Magpies and described the first night back at training as awesome. Picture: THOMAS MILES

WITH COVID-19 restrictions gradually easing in the Limestone Coast, it appears a real possibility football will return in the near future.

While a no-payment cap was applied to all community leagues last week by the SANFL, crowds have now been approved for games, with 500 supporters allowed to attend.

That has been seen as a real positive going forward.

Cross-border restrictions have been another big issue in both the Mid South East and Western Border leagues, with Kalangadoo one club affected.

Incoming coach Dylan Ayton hails from Casterton, along with a small group of players.

However, they have now been allowed to cross the border as community members to take part in training sessions, which recommenced last week.

“We travel over for work and because we play over there we are classed as community members,” Ayton said.

“We have all our documentation up to date, so it has been a real positive.

“The only way it will affect us is the boys’ families will not be able to come over and watch at this stage.”

Ayton said club president Adam Box had ensured everything was in place to comply with the current restrictions.

“Adam Box is an unbelievable president,” he said.

“He had everything organised, all the protocols in place.

“We rolled up and went in our sections – it was just awesome.”

Ayton said the return to training was well received by the group, with around 30 players on the track.

“Our boys are keen as mustard,” he said.

“It was disappointing for everyone when it closed down – we were absolutely flying.

“But the boys have trained hard and Jason Bannister has had a running program going.

“I have not met a group of boys who are so committed – it is unbelievable.”

With all clubs struggling due to the coronavirus restrictions, which have hit hard financially, Ayton said Kalangadoo as a community had worked through it to ensure the club remained solvent.

“It is a real positive for the club,” he said.

“The community involvement, what they have had donated and the time from the community is unbelievable.”

Ayton said the 500 limit on crowds was ideal to kick the season off and even the lack of match payments did not seem to bother the new coach.

“I know at Kalangadoo all the boys would be happy to play for the club,” he said.

“You are lucky to get some money for it over time, but I know we are all happy as Larry to play for nothing.

“At the end of the day you want to play, so of course you will play for the love of it.”

The MSEFL had a meeting set down for last night after the time of going to print.