Narrogin Hawks hit track straight away as Upper Great Southern Football League chances rise

Upper Great Southern Football League president Tim Cowcher says there is an air of excitement about footy returning, on the back of the WA Football Commission’s release this week that training can resume under set conditions and protocols. Cowcher remains hopeful UGSFL can have a season this year after COVID-19 restrictions are relaxed on community football on Monday. Narrogin Hawks confirmed they would begin training next week as part of the step towards a full return to community football. The WA Football Commission has confirmed that community football training can resume under set conditions and protocols from May 18. Under the conditions training can resume in groups no bigger than 20, all training is non-contact, footballs are permitted but not other equipment like weights and tackling bags and no access to change or club rooms among other things. It was set to be round five in the UGSFL this weekend but Cowcher said he believed footy could return within the next two months. “We as a league have always been optimistic that we would have some sort of season this year,” he said. “Having spoken to a number of clubs and players they are extremely excited to begin training with the expectation of playing actual games in the near future. “With the announcements that have been made (Monday) we will start planning on the season potentially beginning in late June. “We still need a number of things to happen for our season to begin though.” Cowcher said the major doubt surrounding a UGSFL season would be around limitations on crowds or gathering numbers. “We held a teleconference meeting with all club presidents and Brent Sheridan from WACFL who gave us an update from a State perspective,” he said. “We will be holding our usual meeting at the end of May to make plans on what our season will look like going forward. “We will make a decision on playing without crowds at our next meeting but I personally think it would be near impossible to play if we are restricted to gatherings of less than 100. “Ideally we would like the government to allow gatherings of up to 500, which would then allow us to run our competition as close to normal as possible.” Narrogin Hawks president Karen Fazey said she had spoken to league coach Steve Boughton on Monday night and they agreed they would start training under strict conditions next week. Fazey said she had cleared their resumption to training with local police and confirmed it would mostly be fitness training when they kick off next Tuesday. Under the conditions players will bring their own water bottle and only one ball will be used between two people.