Off field teamwork is the key to 2022 season

Action from Nana Glen where the Coffs Breakers and Bellingen moved their matches to ensure matches went ahead.

We’re three rounds into the Senior Competition and two rounds into the Juniors, and it’s great to see club footy back on the North Coast. It’s been made possible by the outstanding efforts of volunteer club administrators who haven’t let ground closures beat them!

Each weekend to date, more grounds have been closed than open, but the majority of matches have been able to proceed thanks to clubs working together to re-arrange games at short notice. So far we’ve had plenty of occasions where the two clubs have swapped hosting duties, matches played at neutral venues, and even games played at non-traditional venues such as Nana Glen (Breakers v Bellingen)!

Paul Taylor, Community Football Manager, said that the commitment shown by all has been exemplary.

“Our clubs are working unbelievably well together to make sure that players get the chance to play matches despite all the challenges the wet weather is presenting. A huge thanks to the Presidents and Committee members that are going above and beyond to make sure matches can go ahead wherever possible,” Taylor said.

“Our Umpires are also showing great flexibility to head to different venues than where they were originally appointed, and are doing that at very short notice. Without their support we wouldn’t be able to stage these matches at amended venues.

“And, of course, our players and their families are showing great patience and understanding to be as flexible as they’re currently needing to be and we thank them too.”

Further rain is scheduled again this week and re-arranged matches are highly likely to be an ongoing feature of the 2022 season. As a sport, our resilience is going to be tested right across the season but a continued focus on working together and being understanding will give us the best chance of completing the home and away matches and getting to Finals.

It’s great to have footy back – a huge thanks to everyone for working together to make it happen.