Winter sport in the Manning starts under strict COVID-19 restrictioons

In a normal year mid-July would usually be the halfway point for most winter sports. But COVID-19 ensured that this is no normal year.

Last weekend Group Three Junior Rugby League, Manning Hockey and Manning Cycle Club all started their winter programs.

Lower North Coast Rugby Union and Manning Valley Netball and Football Mid North Coast's senior and junior competitions had begun earlier in the month. The Herald Women's Premier League football competition resumed on Sunday, July 12. Mid Coast Football plays in the Newcastle-based league. Two games were played in the premier league in March before the competition went into recess.

However, for the first time since World War II, there will be no senior rugby league on the Mid North Coast, with Group Three clubs opting not to play a competition this year, citing concerns with the COVID-19 restrictions. Upper Mid North Coast Rugby Union also decided to scrap 2020.

Again, in a normal year, sports traditionally associated with the cooler months begin either just before or just after Easter. However, with Australia in lockdown, this was impossible in 2020.

So sports officials spent much of the lockdown planning an abridged version of their competitions.

The majority will play a 10 week season, culminating on the weekend of September 26 - a week before the October long weekend.

Football Mid North Coast has opted not to play semi-finals for the majority of its competitions, to ensure all players get the maximum amount of games as possible. These competitions will be decided on a first-past the post basis.

Five Football Mid North Coast clubs, including Taree Wildcats, play in the newly formed Coastal Premier League with five clubs from North Coast Football. This competition will run over two rounds to mid-October, with some games to be played mid-week to ensure the season runs to schedule.

All sports have to comply with rigid COVID-19 guidelines put in place by State governing bodies. So sport has started. Let's hope nothing happens now to bring about another lockdown.

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