THE region’s 2020 soccer season could welcome some warmer weather conditions, with the finalised draw released this week.
Limestone Coast Football Association action will kick off next Sunday on July 19, with 10 minor rounds and a full finals fixture locked in.
That pushes the grand final back to October 11 – almost a month later than last year’s September 15 season decider.
While COVID-19 has caused its share of chaos, a LCFA season played half in spring can be expected to be far kinder on the pitches.
You need only take a drive past the grounds at the moment to see they are all in pristine condition, where often by this time of the year several Limestone Coast playing surfaces have deteriorated into a mud pit.
Casadio Park was a prime example last season, where it was unplayable for several weeks due to pitch conditions.
Contributing further to the preservation of venues this year is the absence of the pre-season cup, which will also lessen the load on grounds.
Another aspect of the 2020 season which will be interesting to see unfold is the change to playing order.
“We are kicking off on the 19th (of July) with a new format this year of following the age groups from Under 12, 14, 17, Reserves and A Grade – in that order,” LCFA president Eric Nieto said.
How that will affect players backing up games in the senior grades and Under 17’s is yet to be determined, but all will be revealed in nine short days.
A positive to come out of the last week is the commitment of a senior team from Blue Lake, with the possibility of a Reserves side still on the table.
“Blue Lake has got a senior team in and they have requested the board to give them until Monday and they might have a Reserves side as well – we allowed that,” Nieto said.
That equates to a six-team A Grade competition, with the only side missing from the equation being Portland, which Nieto said had found an alternative for this year.
“Portland has been granted permission to go and play in Victoria for the 2020 season in the Warrnambool league,” he said.
Whether that competition will go ahead in the current COVID-19 climate in Victoria is yet to be seen, but it provides the Panthers with a chance to still pull on their boots this season.
Another positive for this season is the lowering of registration fees for all players in the state.
“The fees this year have gone down by $40 to aid all the players – juniors to seniors,” Nieto said.
“FSA deducted their fees by $20 and the league (LCFA) deducted theirs by another $20 as well.”
That is aimed to lessen the financial strain on players and families who might be doing it tough in these times.
As far as the season itself goes, Nieto said all is now in order and “everything looks set” for kick off next Sunday.
While some may still be holding their breath, it appears the waiting game which has been 2020 so far will finally come to an end for Limestone Coast soccer fans.
