Virus hits sporting seasons

Sporting seasons around the region have been postponed due to the COVID-19 virus.

Sporting competitions have postponed or cancelled seasons, as many of the State’s governing sporting bodies have handed down recommendations aimed at preventing the spread of the virus.

The Lower South West Junior Football Association has postponed the beginning of its season until May 31, while the Lower South West Football League has said its season might start on June 6 if the suspension of play is lifted in late May.

Warren Women’s Hockey Association’s season has been postponed until May 31 and its annual general meeting has been postponed indefinitely.

Both the Bridgetown and Manjimup netball competitions have been postponed until May 30, as requested by Netball WA.

The South West Soccer Association season has been put on hold until April 14, with a potential start date of May 3 being considered if the suspension is lifted by the association.

Manjimup Rovers vice-president Jeremy Connor said there were mixed emotions about the season’s postponement around the club.

“Ultimately the club and its players will do everything we can to help our community get through the pandemic safe and sound,” he said.

The Bridgetown Basketball Association has abandoned the remainder of its season with the winners being determined by the ladder after all teams had played 12 rounds of the competition.

Its end of season awards were held digitally, with the winners announced online on Friday afternoon.

Holding a digital awards event was the brainchild of association treasurer Wendy Palmer.

“This was obviously a huge disappointment to not only organisers but to all the players who'd been looking forward to the biggest games of the season,” she said.