Coranavirus halts sports

Big V has been postponed. 206891_01

By Tara Murray

Football, netball, soccer and basketball leagues are among those that have been postponed for at least a month due to restrictions in place due to the coronavirus pandemic.

With recommendations for large crowds not to gather together, it left leagues and associations with no choice to push back seasons.

Football and netball leagues will be back in action in May at the earliest.

The Western Region and Essendon District football leagues have set May 2 as the earliest return date. They will reassess the situation on April 14.

The Riddell District, Ballarat and Bendigo football netball leagues, along with the NAB League won’t be back until June.

The Big V, which had already postponed round one last weekend, is now on hold until at least May 15.

The under-18 national championships due to be held in April have been postponed, with no new date set.

Originally, Football Victoria state league competitions were going to go ahead as scheduled on the weekend, but Football Australia later changed their stance.

All state league competitions postponed to April 14.

Rugby League and Rugby Union matches have also been postponed.

Hockey Victoria has bucked the trend and at this stage their winter season is due to get underway as scheduled.

The first of those matches are set to be played in April.