Wodonga Diamonds edge closer to restarting training at La Trobe

Clubs on the Victorian side of the border were granted permission to recommence training with restrictions in place on Monday (June 1), but Diamonds are still awaiting final confirmation to be able to use their home ground.

The facility is owned by La Trobe University and looks set to allow Diamonds to start using its three pitches for organised training in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but final requirements must be ticked off first.

The ground is leased through Wodonga Council by Diamonds and NPL club Murray United.

Wodonga Council received approval at the start of the week and is almost ready to give the clubs the green light.

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"The council, which leases the grounds from La Trobe University, was awaiting final approval from the university to allow clubs to begin training following the easing of restrictions," a statement said.

"That approval has come through late on Monday and with the submission today of some final documentation from the clubs, as requested by the university, the clubs will be able to return to training at the grounds."

Diamonds vice-president Damon Ferguson said the committee had put in a lot of work to develop a plan to cater for its 400-plus players to train in small groups on three fields across three separate nights.

"We're talking about just over 200 players, plus we've got another 200 miniroos, that go up to under-10s," Ferguson said.

"We probably boast one of the largest contingents of miniroos locally and we've had some pretty good programs in the past.

"As we hold a commercial lease via the council with La Trobe, the Victorian regulations for resuming after COVID-19 basically say we have to be granted permission from the owners of the land or the facility as such, which is La Trobe."

Ferguson said the club's correspondence with La Trobe goes through Wodonga Council and they had been awaiting a reply since midway through last week.

"It's always been a problem trying to fast track these processes," he added.

"I think last time we were after a bit of a resolution on how we could fast track these processes, but we didn't get anywhere then either."

The news comes as a relief for Diamonds, who hope to get as much play in as possible once given the all clear.

"We aren't getting any fitter sitting at home. Anything is better than nothing at the moment," Ferguson said.

"Most people have the opinion of getting in as much as we can, but obviously there's other factors playing against us such as summer sports, not only for facilities, but taking away players as well."