2021 Start Up

There has been significant investment by Football Victoria (FV) into the Mens & Boys and Women & Girls competition reviews in 2018 and 2019.

Both competition reviews have recommended changes to competition structure, with several recommendations already introduced in 2019 & 2020.

FV would not have been implementing significant changes in 2021 competition structures in normal circumstances. FV have engaged on numerous occasions with football stakeholder groups during 2020 including multiple meetings with clubs, standing committees and FV members.  

FV is introducing some changes to our football competition structures for season 2021. These changes have been considered as a direct result of the global pandemic, that has significantly interrupted this year’s fixtures and the ability of clubs to train and play as planned.

Taking the recommendations into account, input from our technical and operations teams, the impacts on  player development and feedback we have received from our football stakeholders; FV is introducing the following Start Up conditions for season 2021.

On launching the changes to the Victorian football community, FV Board Director and Football Committee Chair Sezar Jakupi expressed his thanks to all stakeholders for their understanding during these unprecedented times.

“We all would have preferred circumstances to be different. Unfortunately COVID has significantly impacted all of us in different ways."

"First and foremost, I hope that all of our football community are healthy, as the safety of our participants and stakeholders are our priority as we emerge from the 2nd wave to a new COVID normal. We continue to work closely with our stakeholders and are guided by our Government in regards to updates and regulations," Mr Jakupi said.

“The changes aim to address some key areas around overall player development whilst assisting clubs with player retention in the post COVID season."

"We understand that in football there is no ideal model which can satisfy the objectives of every football stakeholder, however FV are confident that these changes will deliver positive football outcomes to commence the 2021 season."

FV is excited about the prospect of commencing football again in 2021, whilst understanding that there could be significant challenges to clubs, coaches, players and referees in 2021 due to COVID impacts. FV will continue to work with clubs to address and overcome issues whilst being committed to continuous improvement process to ensure FV makes incremental improvements to strive for optimal competition structures.

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