SPORTING grounds across the region have been left bare on weekends for almost three months, but soccer fans are on the home stretch after the Limestone Coast Football Association announced a start date for its 2020 season.
At this stage there remain two dates on the table – July 19 and 26 – which hinge on the decision of one LCFA club.
Blue Lake is the only club yet to commit to the season, with the remaining six clubs having expressed their interest following last Tuesday’s board meeting.
The announcement the South Australian border will be opened on July 20 has also boded well for the association, with Portland now able to compete.
“If we have a seven-team competition we can start on the 19th (of July) and give Portland a bye for the first round,” LCFA president Eric Nieto said.
“If we only have a six-team competition including Portland then we will have to start on the 26th (of July).
“It is still pending, but it is definitely one of those two dates.”
A verdict is expected from the Rangers in the coming weeks, while Nieto stated the league is committed to helping all clubs stay on their feet during this uncertain time.
Apollo’s dedication to a 2020 competition was also unsure, but the recent announcements from the state government regarding crowd numbers and border restrictions swayed its vote.
“Blue Lake at the moment is the only one with a question mark,” Nieto said.
“We made it quite clear to the clubs, we are there to help.
“Anything we can do to help them, we will be there.
“I think we are going to have a meeting next week – there are a few things they (Blue Lake) need to work out themselves – then hopefully by the end of next week we will know a bit more.”
While this news is as positive as we have had for some time, there has also been a casualty within the soccer fraternity, with the South Australian Junior Soccer Association country championships cancelled.
That follows the cancellation of the state championships back in April – which were scheduled for the June long weekend – and leaves no junior representative soccer on the 2020 calendar for Limestone Coast youngsters.
After receiving notifications five associations had already declined to participate in the country championships this year, it was deemed not viable for the LCFA to attend in 2020, before the competition was cancelled entirely by SAJSA on Monday.
