FOOTBALL Mid North Coast's Herald Women's Premier League season is back on track with the side preparing to meet Warners Bay in a crucial game on Sunday in Newcastle.
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The zone's National Premier League (NPL) junior representative sides can only continue to play in the Newcastle-based competitions. Football Mid North Coast plays as Mid Coast Football in all premier league competitions.
It appeared the year was over earlier in the week after Health NSW issued new COVID-19 regulations that among other things, would have stopped Mid Coast travelling to Newcastle for matches and Newcastle clubs coming into the Football Mid North Coast Zone.
However, on Thursday night Mid Coast Football received a dispensation from the NSW Minister for Sport to play games in Newcastle and also host matches at the Zone Field at Taree.
"It's been a roller coaster,'' Mid Coast Herald Women's Premier League coach Mick Grass admitted.
"First we were out. Then there was uncertainty when we heard we might get an exemption and then we found out on Thursday night that we were right to play.''
The women's premier league is at the halfway point. Two fixtures were played in March before the competition went into recess in the lockdown. Games resumed on Sunday July 11.
"There's six weeks to go and we have to play seven matches, because we have a catch-up game,'' Grass said.
Mid Coast's first grade side sits in sixth place making Sunday's game against fourth placed Warners Bay of vital importance. However, the ladder is somewhat deceiving, as there are a number of postponed games to be played.
Mid Coast's reserve grade is in second spot and on track to claim a top four berth.
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Grass said Mid Coast would have to adhere to strict COVID-19 regulations for home and away fixtures.
'We'll certainly be doing that,'' he said.
Sunday's game is the Mid Coast's third consecutive encounter in Newcastle. There's another away game against Thornton next week. Eight clubs play in the premier league, with Mid Coast the only one outside of Newcastle.
Football Mid North Coast chairman Mike Parsons revealed that FMNC was the only zone in the State to get the exemption.
"This had a lot to do with our close proximity to the Hunter,'' he said.
"There's no overnight stays required and no car pooling.''
Mr Parsons said MidCoast Council and Northern NSW Football Federation were supportive in assisting Football Mid North Coast's efforts to gain the dispensation.
"It's fantastic news that our teams can keep playing,'' Mr Parsons said.
"Now we look forward to seeing some favourable results from all our sides.''
