Following the government announcement regarding a move to Covid-19 Alert Level 3, and under the assumption Level 3 lasts one week, WaiBOP Football is now able to share our potential plans for the remainder of the season.

SENIOR FOOTBALL

We anticipate getting Senior football back underway at Alert Level 2, with the weekend of September 18/19 being our target date. All the usual restrictions will apply at that alert level, including gatherings of no more than 100 people.

We will schedule games over three weekends: September 18/19, September 25/26 and October 2/3.

WaiBOP Premiership, Championship, W-League

• Premiership: A proposed amended draw will be sent to clubs today. This draw will be based on the scenario that we have the full three weeks to play (as above), and some local games will be played mid-week. Should circumstances change – including, but not limited to, Covid levels and NRF’s position regarding possible NRFL playoffs – and we are unable to complete the draw as proposed, then we have further options to look at to ensure we can declare a winner of the Premiership, along with confirming the relegated teams. 
• Championship: The two teams that have qualified for promotion, and the two teams that will be relegated have been confirmed, although a clear winner of the league has not been established.  Remaining games in this league will be rescheduled over three weeks.
• W-League: The winner of the league has been decided (Tauranga City AFC).  Remaining league games will be scheduled over two weeks.

Local Leagues – Waikato & BOP Men and Women

Clubs have been consulted on their preferences for completing the local leagues in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. In order to conclude the current leagues, and also continue with the Knockout Cups we can advise the following:

• Waikato Men’s and Women’s Leagues: Two or three weeks of league games, with the Quarter-Finals of the Waikato Cup and Plate to be played on the weekend of October 2/3. The Semi-Finals and Finals of the Waikato Cup and Plate will be moved to pre-season 2022. Some league games will need to be played mid-week to complete leagues.
• Bay Men’s Leagues: Two weeks of league games, followed by The Miller Cup to be held as a one-day tournament on Saturday October 2. (Some Bay 2 games will need to be played mid-week.)
• Bay Women’s League: One week remaining of league games, followed by Waikato Cup or Plate games on October 3. The Semi-Finals and Finals of the Waikato Cup and Plate (which involve some BOP teams) will be moved to Pre-Season 2022.

Updated draws will be available online by Friday September 10.

JUNIOR FOOTBALL

As we cannot play this Saturday (September 4), which was the last scheduled weekend for most Junior Football around our region, Junior Saturday leagues (First Kicks to 13th Grade) have now been completed. 

Festivals: These are still several weeks away, so we are still working under the possibility we will be at an Alert Level that will enable us to hold these events. We will keep those who have entered updated with any developments. The festivals are:

• Craigs Investment Partners Rotorua Junior Football Festival (September 18).
• Craigs Investment Partners Waikato Junior 5-a-side (September 26).
• Weir Rose Bowl (October 9 to 11).

SECONDARY SCHOOL AND FEDERATION Y-LEAGUES

The Federation U15 and U14 Y-Leagues have already concluded. A final decision on the completion of the U13 Federation Y-League is pending, awaiting feedback from clubs.

Baywide Youth, Western BOP 14th/15th Grade and Central BOP 13th/14th Grade – a decision regarding the possible completion of these leagues is also pending, awaiting feedback from clubs and schools.

KEY CONSIDERATIONS

We have factored in a number of things when making these decisions: 

• Ground preparation - giving the councils and clubs time to prepare grounds.
• Player welfare - returning to play from a period of no training or playing carries injury implications for our players.
• Stage and level of competitions – prioritising finding winners, promotion and relegation, while facilitating general participation opportunities.
• Keeping our community safe and complying with Ministry of Health guidelines.
• Playing as much as possible in the time we have.
• Prioritising competition completion outcomes where required – winners, promotion, and relegation.
• Understanding club views – volunteers will have the added responsibility of MOH compliance.

RESOURCES

Here is an overview of Level 2, links, and resources to help clubs prepare for a return to play. These may change, so we’ll keep you updated. 

• Sport NZ’s play, active recreation and sport at Alert Level 2 guidelines HERE.
• Sport NZ COVID Guidelines HERE.
• How to contact trace for sports facilities HERE.
• QR code information HERE.
• Hygiene guide for sport HERE.