MEMBERS of a local football club are doing their best to stay connected with all football-related activities in South Australia currently postponed until May 31.
Blanchetown-Swan Reach Football Club members, guided by new senior coach Paul Thomas have been doing what they can to stick together in the lead up to the start of the 2020 Riverland Football League Independent season.
Mr Thomas said while the postponement to the start of the season is unfortunate, he understands why the decision was made.
“It was very disappointing, but it is unforeseen circumstances,” he said.
“It is something that is unprecedented and we just have to ride with it.
“You look back at all the training you’ve done and we were lucky to have a trial game as well, so we were really looking forward to the start of the season.
“But obviously now things are on hold and we are waiting and preparing for the green light.”
Mr Thomas said the club has placed an importance on both the physical and mental health of its players during the postponement of all football-related activities.
“We have put together a training program that our players have been following and we have been trying to measure that as best as possible, without physical contact,” he said.
“The other thing is that we have also been talking about our lives and how we are dealing with things from a mental aspect, because I think that it is important that we talk about it and how we are feeling about it.
“It has been a real inspiration because it has really brought us closer together as a team and also as a club.”
Mr Thomas said he has also been utilising Zoom video chats with players and club members over the past few months.
“It has been very positive and really well-received,” he said.
“It is something that I didn’t know whether it would work or not, especially in a country aspect, but it has been exciting to get together and talk about where we are at.
“Last night we even discussed how we would have prepared for our first game, which would have been on Saturday.”
Mr Thomas is confident that the Riverland will see some on-field action this season.
“I believe that there will be a start date,” he said.
“There are some around who don’t, but those people are at other clubs and in other leagues, not at our club.
“I was on the phone with two prominent journalists and we had a good chat.
“We discussed what was happening with the AFL and SANFL and what the issues were.
“I think country football has more going for it to get the green light for a start compared to somewhere like in Adelaide in the suburbs.”
The new coach has high expectations for the Redbacks, who showed major improvement last season, scoring three wins, while also suffering a number of narrow losses.
“There is no doubt we will be competitive, I expect that,” Mr Thomas said.
“There is no doubt that we will go out there to win, that is what we play football for.
“But in saying that, in my first year of coaching BSR, my expectations are nothing less than a finals appearance and then we will reassess our goals once we reach that stage.”