AWFA president stresses clubs must not rush back into training

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews announced changes to lockdown rules on Monday with the ability for groups of 10 to gather outdoors for recreational activity from Wednesday.

Social distancing of 1.5 metres should be maintained, meaning training will be non-contact, with strict hygiene measures in place.

NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian announced similar easing of rules on Sunday to be implemented Friday.

ALSO IN SPORT:

With all community football activity suspended by Football Federation Australia until at least May 31, AWFA president Mark Leman stressed the importance of clubs remaining vigilant and not rushing back to training this week until given the all clear from Football NSW and Football Victoria.

"We're going to talk to our state bodies and put some guidelines out when we can start," Leman said.

"That will allow clubs to start coaching kids and seniors with the conditions in place from whatever the state bodies give us.

"Gary (AWFA secretary Gary Holt) and I put a plan together if Victoria and NSW were different, so we've done a draw for the first two rounds to have Victorian clubs playing in NSW, or vice-versa."

With a star-studded squad at his disposal, Wangaratta coach Daniel Vasilevski is itching to play some football this season.

The reigning league and cup champions started their title defence in style with a 5-0 victory over Albury United before the postponement.

"If we've got two groups of 10 players, it's going to make it challenging because obviously you can't do any match simulation because you're going to have more than 10 players," Vasilevski said.

"We're going to have to change the way we train, but if it helps us get a few games out this season, we're happy to do that."