2020 Season Announcement

To All Barnstoneworth United FC Players, Members and Supporters.

It is with deep regret that we must inform all our players, members and supporters that we will not be participating in the 2020 season across all our male and female Football Victoria, Vic Soccer and O/45’s teams.

Please understand that as a committee we did not come to this decision lightly.

As of yesterday we officially advised Football Victoria of our intentions not to field any male or female teams in the 2020 FV season for a number of reasons where they could not provide us the required assurances to the pertinent questions we asked.

VicSoccer has already put a line through the 2020 season so we had no choice with this league, and the Over 45’s league are endeavouring to undertake a season, but for the reasons defined below we believe this was not in the best interests of our players and members to participate.

Having come off a successful 2019 which was also our 30 Year Anniversary, we had grand plans for 2020. Teams being put together for a tilt at promotion, new clubhouse being built this year, along with a host of other initiatives had us very excited for 2020, all of which have been effected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

First and foremost, as a committee our main responsibility is the health and safety of our players and members. No association has been able to provide a letter from their respective Insurance Underwriters confirming that COVID-19 was covered under the policy, or that as a club and committee, we were indemnified from any cases of COVID-19 that were a result of an association with our club. For this reason alone, as will be the case with many other clubs around Australia, this was enough for us to not participate in 2020.

In addition to this, cleanliness, social distancing, hygiene and a host of other requirements were going to be impossible to maintain at JT Gray Reserve with our clubhouse torn down and us having to share portables with men’s, women and junior teams. Not sanitary at all and with a number of older members in the club, a risk we didn’t want to take.

Furthermore, with no clubrooms and canteen, no crowds at games, and an inability to honour the commitments made to 2020 sponsors, the financial impact to the club to try and conduct any type of season was incredibly challenging and likely to have lose the club a lot of money.

Rest assured we have confirmed with all Associations that we will not be penalised for not fielding teams in 2020, either financially or via demotion, across any of our male and female teams. There is still the likelihood that there will be no season commencing for any of the leagues trying to make a start as there are no guarantees, and everything is dependent on State and Federal Government decisions which can change daily.

By making this decision now, as a committee we can start planning for 2021 and ensure we are set for a huge season for all our players and members. With new clubrooms for the start of 2021 season we are very excited with what lays ahead.

We appreciate this isn’t a decision anyone wanted to hear. Rest assured we were all wanting to get back on the park but simply couldn’t do this with the health and safety of our members front of mind, and the financial responsibility associated with running a successful club.

Please stay safe in these difficult times, and lets ensure we all stay in touch with each other. Barnstoneworth is more than a Club, it is Family, and we will ride this bump together until we can get back on the park and play again.

Should you wish to discuss this matter further, please do not hesitate to contact us.

The Legend WILL Continue……