Junior footy confirmed to return across WA on Saturday, July 18

The WA Football Commission has announced that junior football will return across the State on Saturday, July 18.

The WAFC confirmed in a statement this afternoon that full team junior training can resume on Saturday, June 6, along with full-contact scratch matches.

The season start date of July 18 is intended to give families time to travel during the July school holidays to “support local businesses and regional communities”.

Updated return-to-training protocols and a revised 10-point checklist must be completed to ensure all clubs are continuing to follow State Government requirements.

The WAFC said they would be working with junior football stakehollders on details such as venue availability and facility access conditions with Local Governments, completing fixtures, updating by-laws and taking new player registrations.

“With this in mind, it is acknowledged that not all junior football competitions will be ready to resume on July 18,” the WAFC said.

“Each competition will be supported and encouraged to aim for this target date, and participants will be advised by their respective club or competition once finalised.”

Health Minister Roger Cook said it was important for the junior football community to maintain good hygiene by washing hands and physically distancing where possible.

“"There’s nothing better for children than to release some of their endless energy playing sport,” Mr Cook said.

“COVID-19 restrictions have meant the footy season has had to be postponed, which has been hard on WA kids used to participating in the wide open spaces of this beautiful State."

“With Phase 3 of WA’s COVID-19 roadmap kicking in, that’s about to change for our junior footy players.

“In the coming weeks, children from all across WA will take to footy fields all over the State for that first kick, mark, or goal of the season.”