MILLICENT Football Club A Grade coach Clint Gallio spoke to The South Eastern Times yesterday regarding the cancellation of the 2020 Western Border Football season.
The decision was made at a league meeting on Monday night, which resulted in the abandonment of both the Western Border football and netball competitions this year due to the complications brought on by COVID-19.
Gallio said while the outcome is not what everybody wanted to hear, it is a relief to finally have an answer.
“I think obviously there are people disappointed, a lot of people on the fence and a lot of people sort of glad it’s over I guess,” he said.
While the result was expected by many, it is surreal to think there will be no Western Border football or netball action this year, for the first time since the league’s inception in 1964.
“Footy is a big part of lots of people’s lives and we have done it for however many years now, so to have the season cancelled this year is a bit disheartening,” Gallio said.
“But talking to a couple of the boys there is some relief there is an answer out.
“It is not the one some people wanted and others were sort of not happy with it, but they are more happy the decision has been made.
“It is mixed emotions I suppose and I am sure every club is in the same boat.”
It is not only the players who will feel the effects of this long football deprived winter, with the Millicent community sure to feel the impact as well.
As a town which revolves so much around its football club, the nine-month wait for next season is a strange reality.
“It has been people’s winters for years and years,” Gallio said.
“They go to the footy and whether they are a spectator, grandparents, players, umpires – whatever it is – it is a big part of people’s lives.
“It is a massive part of the town and the community.
“It does not just affect the people who play, it affects lots of people – some people just like going to watch the footy and getting their pie and bucket of chips.”
However, the decision has been made and as a coach there is one focus for Gallio moving forward.
“We will want to keep all our list together – we have a good, young list,” he said.
“Now over the next couple of weeks we will just work out a bit of a plan and I will sit down with the club and we will work out where to go to and what to do.
“I think the number one thing is trying to keep the boys together.”
While it is obvious teams will not keep training until next season, Gallio said a plan will be put in place over the coming weeks to keep players connected.
The prospect of a few catch up sessions over the remainder of the year could be a possibility, as the Saints enter what is going to be a long off-season.
However, when the 2021 season does roll around, there will be no shortage of enthusiasm.
No player will be more keen for their football fix than Gallio, who has not played the game since July last year due to an ACL injury.
He had expected to make his return to the ground in the second half of the
2020 season, but will now have to get creative to keep himself involved in the game.
