A Tallangatta and District Netball Association coach believes youth development may be even more crucial now after a year on the sidelines.
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Wodonga Saints' coach Gina Skinner is wary of the toll a season off the netball court may have had on young players.
The Tallangatta and District Netball and Football League was just one of the region's competitions to have its season derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The 17s are then going into a senior grade and have missed that whole year of developing into senior players," Skinner said.
"There will be lots of kids who are going to come back rusty.
"But in saying that, that's part of our coaching role, to incorporate a plan so that those juniors are well prepared.
"Not quickly, because that's when they do injuries, but we want to get them ready enough so that they can fit into those senior grades.
"Everyone in the Tallangatta League, and a lot of other leagues, are going to be in the same position."
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The lost season has also impacted players who are heading towards the end of their netball careers.
Skinner is hopeful the league will see court time in 2021.
"Even if it's some sort of season, I think older players are getting to the stage where they won't physically be able to go back," she said.
The Wodonga Saints' life member has recommitted to the club as A-grade coach.
She had originally planned to step aside, but found her love for the role lure her in again.
"It wasn't until I actually went back to playing netball in a Sunday team, it's got a couple of juniors playing in it, and I was helping them," Skinner said.
"That's when I went, I actually really enjoy coaching."
Skinner is hoping to keep majority of the playing group from this year's squad together.
The club picked up returning players Rhea Vihm, Bridget Smith and Tess Morrow at the end of last season, while also adding Deniliquin's Mathilda Jacobs.
In 2019 the Saints just fell short of a finals berth.
"I'm hoping to retain players that I have from last year, but there might be one or two that have actually enjoyed their time off and may not come back," she said.
"Some may go off to university.
"We've got our eyes open for new players coming up."
The club's netballers are yet to commence training due to Victoria's COVID-19 restrictions.
