NEW border restrictions have come into place since the recent COVID-19 spike in Victoria, which could have an effect on the newly-formed Limestone Coast Football League.
The league came together after the Western Border, Mid South Eastern and Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara leagues cancelled the 2020 season due to the coronavirus, with six teams set to compete in the combined competition.
In recent weeks Victorian players and coaches were allowed to cross the border to participate in training for South Australian clubs as community members.
However, that stopped and the restrictions then allowed for community members to cross the border for such things as work, shopping, medical appointments and so on, but not for sport.
With the most recent restrictions coming into play it appears there is no chance of change and as a result Kalangadoo will now need to fill its A Grade coach’s position, along with the assistant coach and replace a couple of players.
Kalangadoo coach Dylan Ayton and assistant coach Kevin Stark both live in Casterton, along with players Billy Galpin and Charlie Jarrad.
Speaking to The Border Watch recently, Ayton said he was not overly concerned with the restrictions, with the “worse case scenario” he could not play.
He said he had confidence in the group, along with support from the likes of Ben and Chris Mules.
However, with a tightening of restrictions leaving little chance of any changes to allow sport to be included in the community pass, this week Ayton said he was shattered.
“We will not be able to come over at this stage,” he said.
“It is shattering.
“We could easily be negative, but there is no need to be – it is still a good thing.
“The boys are flying and I am still trying to do everything I can from here, but it is getting pretty hard now.”
Ayton said he was frustrated with how the restrictions had played out.
“I have a full community pass for everything – it covers me for anything in daily life, just not sport,” he said.
“But I am more shattered for the Kalangadoo boys who I know have been excited for us to keep teaching them what we are about.
“They are still training hard and I hope now they are at the point of playing they will be alright.”
Ayton said within a week everything will be running to plan and three good senior games of football can take place each Saturday.
He said we just need to “push through” the week.
Kybybolite president Jamie Tidy said his club was also hit by the new restrictions, with the A Grade coach and a “few” players now unable to cross the border to participate.
As a result it appears the club may not be able to field two senior sides as previously planned.
