LOCAL football’s big kick-off will not start until the New Year at the earliest, it has been confirmed.
Officials at the Newcastle and Amateur leagues have confirmed that there will be no action for the remainder of 2020, with the Newcastle League tentatively pencilling in January 9 as a possible start date.
While elite sport across Northern Ireland has once again been restricted to behind-closed-doors for the next two weeks as a result of new lockdown measures, the Newcastle League’s management committee — which met on Monday night — is proposing to start in the second week of the New Year with games across all its divisions.
However, any club reluctant to return to action can postpone their game if they contact the league before January 2.
Newcastle League chairman, Alan Craig, said that once again, the organisation found itself discussing dates for the start of the season, confirming the January 9 start date applies to all sections, with clubs permitted one free Saturday exemption request.
“As always, this date is subject to any further restrictions being put in place by the Northern Ireland Executive and Irish FA guidelines,” he added.
The Amateur League also believes that a New Year start is probably the most realistic way forward, with games before the end of next month unlikely.
League chairman, Terry Pateman, said he believes that a New Year start is probably the most optimistic prediction.
“We could in theory at this stage be back playing on Boxing Day, but I am not sure the appetite is there for that,” he told the Recorder.
“If the current restrictions are lifted, teams will need a period of time back in light training. If we aim to play again from January 2, that would allow each team to play around 10 matches.”
Mr Pateman said that the latest ruling from the Northern Ireland Executive on the return of sport below elite level did not surprise him, suggesting that the move should have happened sooner.
“Ultimately, we are all looking at cutting down on places where groups of people come together in order to get the infection rate down,” he continued.
“At this moment, we simply have to grin and bear it. It should have been the case that sport was closed down from March when the seriousness of coronavirus began to be realised. Football should have been gone for a year. This disease and the situation is now too serious.”
Mr Pateman said while he is still hopeful that some form of an Amateur League season will be played, it is not beyond possibility that the entire campaign could still be wiped out.
He added: “When you look at where we are now, almost into December, you’d have to ask the question if we can get any sort of season. At best, we are certainly not really looking at the possibility of any more football at this level in 2020.”
The Northern Ireland Sports Forum says it “fully appreciates” the challenging decisions facing the NI Executive, but feels the restrictions on sport will have long-lasting impacts on the health sector. The Forum said sports organisations and members were confident that they could continue all activity through social distancing measures in heavily controlled environments.
In addition, the organisation revealed that a significant number of its members reported that they were unaware of any cases of the virus being transmitted between participants in their sporting environment.
“With the continued inactivity of sport, many of our members are growing anxious that the loss of habitual involvement in sport and physical activity will lead to long term challenges for individuals and local communities,” the Forum said in a statement.
“Sports club members are passionate about their involvement in sport and physical activity and sustained inactivity is having a detrimental impact on their physical and mental health.”
The Forum said banning sporting activity at levels below elite will only enhance the impact on the public at present and have long-lasting impacts on the health sector.
“The Northern Ireland Sports Forum has deep concerns that enforcing the cessation of sport and physical activity below elite level will have devastating consequences for the health and well-being of the general public and sports organisations,” the statement continues.
It adds: “Further financial hardship will undoubtedly be felt in grassroots sports organisations, whilst spectator sports will be faced with further severe challenges they have been working so hard to overcome.”