The Ovens and Murray league has expressed a desire to avoid junior netballers falling through the cracks this season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It comes after the league announced the cancellation of its senior football and netball competitions for 2020 on Thursday due to growing coronavirus fears.
O and M deputy chair Kim Odewahn said the league will now focus on any opportunities they may be able to provide to under-18 players this year.
"I'd hate for them to miss out," Odewahn said.
Corowa-Rutherglen A-grade coach Georgie Bruce agreed junior development should be a priority to prevent youngsters from being disadvantaged down the track.
"I'm a glass half full kind of person and I think there's always a silver lining," Bruce said.
"I think now we have some fantastic people that are maybe even more available to be involved in junior development and junior opportunities.
"I think everyone will work towards making sure the juniors definitely aren't disadvantaged from this.
"They should be at the front of people's minds now."
While Bruce acknowledged the league's call to pull the pin was the right decision in terms of safety, she admitted it was a sad result for communities.
"From a community perspective, I think about small towns and our football and netball fraternity, whether that be in our league or the Hume and Tallangatta leagues, it's the glue of our towns and what keeps people connected," she said.
ALSO IN SPORT:
"It's really sad from that perspective.
"We've always looked forward to having a home game on the Easter weekend and taking advantage of the crowd that comes to enjoy the beautiful little town.
"It's a shame, but the safety of the community is far more important."
Corowa-Rutherglen were one club to take advantage of a return to training under COVID-19 guidelines after initial restrictions were eased.
Bruce said she wouldn't rule out continuing some form of training despite a season being off the table.
"I think there will be a demand there to continue training for a period of time," she said.
The league identified differing state government restrictions, financial strain and crowd management as some of the key concerns in regards to pushing ahead this season.
The decision was made after clubs met with the board on Wednesday night.
It comes just a day after the Tallangatta and District Football League also abandoned their 2020 season.
The Tallangatta and District Netball Association are now weighing up whether they would have the backing to go it alone for a netball competition this year.
The association planned to meet with clubs on Thursday night to discus whether a stand alone competition was of interest or whether junior netball should proceed.
It follows a recent survey which was distributed to clubs in the league to gauge their views on what they would like to see this season.