With the easing of COVID restrictions in regional Victoria allowing outdoor non-contact sport to resume for adults, a number of local summer sports are gearing up to get underway.
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Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort has welcomed back hundreds of golfers since the NSW Government’s relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions announced in previous weeks.
Numbers quickly soared from the usual 40 to 50 golfers in competitions to over 200 players in last Saturday’s 18-holes competitions.
“It’s fantastic to see all our Yarrawonga-based members back,” head professional Evan Droop said. “We had full fields for Saturday and next Saturday’s already full. And there are plenty of other golfers for our weekday competitions and for a social hit,” Mr Droop said on September 23.
For the first Saturday’s full fields for members, there were 50 ladies and 164 men. “There were over 200 comp players and with visitors, about 300 golfers for the day,” the Pro Shop chief said. “It was back to normal.”
And as from last Thursday, the Nine Hole competition resume.
Nine Holers will resume at 12.30pm and will be able to book in for next Tuesday’s competition, instead of the traditional come and wait situation.
“Social distances will apply and there will be a presentation in the clubhouse after the comp,” Nine Hole treasurer Phil Gregory said.
“We have about 130 nine holers on our books. Our best turn-up has been 85.”
Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club (YLTC) President Daryl Bennett said the local tennis club was also lucky to be able to begin their season and are ready to go, although details are not fully finalised.
“We are one of the lucky sports that have been allowed to really open up,” Mr Bennett said.
“The YLTC are following the clear directions provided by Tennis Victoria to ensure we are complying with the current COVID -19 restrictions that apply to regional Victoria.
“I can’t offer too much detail yet as AGM’s have been put off until next week, but my best estimate of what will unfold is that in summary, the restrictions are quite basic and reflect the necessary precautions we are all getting used to as part of our normal life.
“The AGM will allow us to finalise the exact details of what tennis will look like this summer.”
Although COVID restrictions have changed the way we go about much of our day to day life Mr Bennett believes it will not require too many changes to the upcoming tennis season.
“The current restrictions do not require many changes to the competitions so I expect tennis will look very similar to other summer seasons,” Mr Bennett said.
“Our very successful junior program will commence early in term four. Final details are being worked out and we will have more information for our junior members coming out soon.
“We will again look to field teams in the Goulburn Murray Lawn Tennis Association which (pending their AGM next week) will kick off competitive Saturday afternoon tennis and we will also look to field a team in the Wilby competition if enough people register their interest.
“The ladies and mens night competitions will also run as usual, in line with the current restrictions. These competitions will kick off in November.
“The tennis committee have been quite active over this period updating our website and also our membership software. Hopefully this will lead to a more user-friendly experience for members to join up for the 2020/21 season.
“It will also support online membership payments to reduce handling cash as is required by the Tennis Victoria guidelines.”
With restrictions easing, the YLTC are looking forward to providing a safe and friendly environment for people to come and play tennis.
“Everyone is welcome to come and join up as a member so they can enjoy the physical and mental benefits that come with playing tennis,” Mr Bennett said.
“Yes, there will be some changes, like no more shaking hands, you must have a mask with you but it is not required to be worn while playing, social distancing etc. Like the rest of the community, the tennis club is ready to go.”
Bowls has also resumed with three of the local clubs back into the swing of things.
Regional Bowls Manager (North East Victoria) John Emerson said bowls in regional Victoria were lucky but there are a few changes and pennant will be delayed a month.
“We certainly have been through some interesting and challenging time over recent months,” Mr Emerson said.
“Bowls all over the country has been affected but some more so than others.
“Regional Victoria has been a little more fortunate in that we have been able to access our greens for some time now albeit on a very limited basis and with no formal competitions allowed.
“Effective last week following Premier Daniel Andrews announcement, we have been able to recommence formal competitions with the guidelines of; maintaining 1.5 metres between yourself and others while playing, face masks must be worn at all times, players must not handle other players equipment, only one player must handle the mat, regular use of hand sanitiser will be encouraged, spectators are not allowed and player details must be recorded for contact tracing purposes.
“In effect this means we can commence bowls with a maximum of eight people per rink and whatever number of rinks are required to complete a game.”
Reported in local media last week, the start of the Ovens and murray pennant bowls season is set to be pushed back a month to ensure all 28 of the regions member clubs are able to compete.
Weekend pennant is likely to start either November 7 or 14 with the midweek competition locked in for November 10.
“One major change likely to occur is a change from pennant being 25 ends with a break for afternoon tea to a format of 21 ends with no break. This will ensure minimal contact in a nongame form,” Mr Emerson added.
“The Pennant Committee will hopefully be in a position to make a decision on the starting date by mid-September when restrictions are expected to be eased in Victoria and hopefully an easing of restrictions on the border.
“So, in addition to the above it is pretty obvious that any games we are able to have this season will likely be different to what pennant players are used to.”
In terms of cricket, the Wangaratta and District Cricket Association (WDCA) released a statement saying after an Executive meeting recently, the senior cricket competition will start on either Friday, October 23 (AFL grand final public holiday) or Saturday, October 24, commencing with a 20/20 match.
The draws will be made up with a combination of 20/20, one day and two matches in A and A Reserve grades.
The junior competitions will start on Saturday, October 17 with the WDCA draw sub-committee currently working feverishly to compile these draws and will be sent out and posted on the My Cricket system asap.
Yarrawonga’s local team Yarrawonga Mulwala Lakers posted a statement on their Facebook in terms of the commencement of their training.
“A start date for WWCB (5yrs-9yrs) has not yet been set, but likely to be around November 13,” a YMCC spokesperson said.
“No fixtures with opponents or venues have been released as yet by the WDCA.
“The YMCC asks you to take the time to read the attached COVID19 Info Sheets from Cricket Australia which will answer some of your questions and give you an idea of what cricket will look like when we start training and playing.
“We will advise shortly about training dates and venues once we are directed by Cricket Victoria, Wangaratta and District Cricket Association and Moira Shire as to exactly what we can and can’t do with regards to cricket specifically.
“The good news is that we are not too far away from commencing the season and we wish to do this in the safest manner possible and with every consideration for the health and wellbeing of the Lakers’ cricket family and the local community.”
Journalist