Dear Falcons Family,

We hope you’re all staying safe, staying as active as you can and looking after your friends and family.

The Darebin Falcons Board met on Monday 6th April to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the Club. Please see below an update on some key areas.

 

COMMUNITY FOOTBALL FIXTURES

Both Football Victoria (FV) and the Northern Football Netball League (NFNL) are working on developing amended fixtures with several options allowing the play of as many games as possible within the timeframes available.

For obvious reasons, these fixtures won’t be released until we have more understanding of the ongoing restrictions. However, as soon as we get any information it will be shared with players.

At this point in time the correspondence remains positive in terms of getting some sort of season up and running for both sports.

 

FEES

Due to the unknowns around fixturing and the positive correspondence around getting a season up and running in 2020, decisions regarding fees to be paid to FV and NFNL have not yet been made by these associations. The Club has already paid some fees and made upfront payments towards this season which the associations are also not reimbursing until the future of the season is known.

If a season gets up and running, as soon as we are given information on what the fees will be, we will communicate this with all players and open registrations again. For those players who have already paid their fees, an adjustment or refund will be made at that time.

We understand there are, and will be, cases of financial hardship. Please contact [email protected] if you require hardship consideration.

 

VFLW

We are maintaining close communication with AFL Victoria to understand the status of the 2020 VFLW Season. At this stage, the decision has been made to put all official VFLW activities and spending on hold until 31st May at the earliest.

 

GENERAL

Regardless of where we land in terms of a 2020 season, the Club will suffer a significant financial impact this year. We know everyone is doing it tough and understand that not everyone is in a position to support us however if you’re able, here are some great ways to support your Club while staying at home, not least of all by simply staying connected – https://falcons.org.au/ways-to-support-the-falcons/

Amongst the change and uncertainty that we are all facing, one thing that stays constant is the Falcon’s mission to support women and girls. Our community is more important that ever, and we encourage you to stay connected by following us on socials and joining the Falcons Family Facebook Group. We are also committed to supporting local businesses that have supported us for so many years, and have launched our new We Love Local Business Campaign. To find out more about how we can help your business in this tough time please fill in this form and we will be in touch. https://forms.gle/QRqGNcjKqZszmp7n7

 

Sarah Brady

President – Darebin Women’s Sports Club