THE Mid South Eastern Junior Football League is ready to kick off after the full 2020 fixture was announced on Wednesday.
Junior football will return on Saturday, July 18 when Robe and Mount Burr host a pair of matches.
The eight competing sides will fight across seven rounds before a two-week finals series wrapping up on Saturday, September 12 – 13 days before the school holidays begin.
The MSEJFL hoped to announce the draw last weekend, but waited until the new Limestone Coast Football League was confirmed after Kalangadoo showed an interest to play.
It means all clubs except Port MacDonnell will be represented in both Junior and Senior Colts games, while Mount Burr and Kongorong will not field Under 11 teams.
MSEFL secretary Naomi Mitchell said the fixture was not simple to put together, but the board was happy with how it turned out.
“It took us a little while, but on a whole we think it is a really good draw,” she said.
“It is fair and even offering clubs a full day of football and everyone plays each other once.”
The season will have a carnival like atmosphere with up to six games being played at the same venue all day.
Under 11’s will be the first to play from 10am utilising half an oval across two 15-minute halves.
The Junior Colts will follow from 10.45am with 12-minute quarters, before the Senior Colts take up the afternoon time slot left empty by A Grade and will play 17-minute quarters.
But the format will be slightly different in Magpies’ home games after the team expressed a desire to play in the Limestone Coast Combined Football League.
Due to the senior sides playing at “primetime”, the younger grades will be pushed back to their traditional period on a Saturday morning.
With hygiene at the front of everybody’s mind, Mitchell said a thorough cleaning process was in place to create a safe environment for each player.
“There has to be a spot clean before one team vacates and another comes in the change rooms,” she said.
“It is basically a wipe over of the benches and other touched services.
“Players will be encouraged to wipe down the showers if they use those facilities.
“But we were mindful not to place too much pressure on the host club.”
As the coronavirus situation in the Limestone Coast continues to improve, Mitchell was confident the full draw can be completed without drama.
With everything set in stone, she said the anticipation was building towards football’s return.
“I hope most clubs are excited,” Mitchell said.
“I know the kids are and they cannot wait.
“There is a great deal of interest and it will be fantastic to have something to do on Saturday.”
