Netballers have voiced concerns over the health risk of playing Ovens and Murray this season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Some medical professionals within the game are wary of stepping back on to the court while the pandemic is ongoing.
Corowa-Rutherglen coach Georgie Bruce revealed there were mixed views among the Roos' playing group.
"I put the question out there, if we start in July or August, who actually wants to play?" she said.
"I had people openly message me on our forum and people who contacted me otherwise and said 'I'm actually not that keen'.
"Some people are busy, studying and I can understand that.
"There's been other people who are in the health industry who have said 'there's a real risk here and we're on the front line' and the point of view that 'I don't want to come into contact with someone at netball who could possibly have me transmit it to someone back at the hospital or vice versa - I've got it from someone at the hospital, not realised it and given it to someone else.
ALSO IN SPORT:
'"There's people with that educated perception, who have already been involved with people that have had COVID.
"We've got some teachers who feel like they're working around the clock at the moment. They're under the pump as it is and they're worn out from the change.
"You have to be really mindful and it's definitely not a time to be selfish, thinking 'no matter what, the season's got to go ahead' -it's what's in the best interests of our wider community.
"The more we travel around and come in contact with other people, the greater risk of people spreading it and it's not going away any time soon."
Hume league clubs won't play for premiership points this year and the O and M must now decide whether they will follow suit.
"Considering that it's the Ovens and Murray, I'd like to think that if a season goes ahead, it's a normal football-netball season where we're lucky enough to travel to Wodonga Raiders' ground or to Myrtleford," said Bruce.
"To think that the season might not go ahead at all, it brings up the question of, one, mental health, and two, how do small communities keep people involved that may have been on the verge of not wanting to continue playing netball or football?
"Some people have been put in a position where they've been able to pick up extra work shifts or get a second job and the money factor can become more attractive.
"There's definitely a scary point of view out there as to what will happen if there isn't a season.
"It'd be great if the season can get up and running in some form but to have it as a football-netball season, 10 rounds, play everyone once and go from there."