Hockey Albury-Wodonga clubs and officials were "exhausted" and in need of certainty when deciding to abandon the season.
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"I think some of the committees are suffering from what I'd call 'COVID fatigue'," Hockey Albury-Wodonga sports operations manager Cayte Campbell said.
"We really had no option with the border closure.
"For all the clubs, it's the uncertainty and lack of knowing where you're at.
"They really haven't give us a time frame, but I can't imagine it will be any less than the end of the month."
Hockey Albury-Wodonga hopes to have some structured competition this year, with twilight, indoor and social matches all options.
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"Normally the weather is half decent when you start and you enjoy the atmosphere before it starts to get really cold," Campbell said.
"Actually coming out and starting to play matches at the bitterest time of the year weather-wise makes it quite hard for people to get inspired."
However, it remains all systems go for the Albury-Wodonga Spitfires men's side, travelling to Canberra on Saturday for the opening round of the Capital League season against ANU.
But with several players living in Victoria, there's no guarantees they will have a full list to pick from.
"While the Wodonga boys can still come here (to Albury), I don't know if they can get into ACT," Campbell added.
"On the positive side, there are a number of very capable division one players with no season who might be interested in having a run.
"Our biggest challenge is going to be keeping everyone socially distanced when the Spitfires play at home, because I think we'll get a really good crowd.
"It's going to be great for the Spitfires because people will just want to come and watch a game of hockey and even non-hockey people might want to watch some sport.
"Even if we get just one game, it will be nice to have something to cheer about."