There have been many changes to the sporting calendars this year, and the latest to be announced was the delayed start of Goulburn's junior cricket season in 2020/21.
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The Goulburn District Junior Cricket Association confirmed that it had been in contact with a number of local sporting associations since the beginning of the 2020 winter season.
As some of them, in particular the Southern Tablelands Football Association, had confirmed late finishes to compensate for the COVID-19 delays, the finals dates threatened to overlap with the start of the upcoming cricket season.
To avoid this, the GDJCA has agreed to postpone its opening round to October 17 for the Under 10s and Under 12s, while the Under 14s and Under 16s will begin on November 7.
The decision to delay the starting dates, according to GDJCA publicity officer Amy Edwards, was made with the best interests of the players in mind.
"We're starting a little bit later this year because the winter sports are running a little behind their normal schedules," Edwards said.
"The soccer association reached out to us before their season started and said 'If we started a later season would cricket work in with us?'
"The cricket association and John [Edwards, GDJCA president] were 100 per cent on board with that.
"We're working in conjunction with them to the kids' benefit. The cricket season will be a little bit shorter than what it has been in recent years, but only a couple of weeks."
The only other change of note to the schedule is the timing of the Under 10s. Their matches will be played on Saturdays for the first two rounds of the season, but will revert to Friday nights after that point. Meanwhile, the Woolworths Blast will be played on Friday nights at Seiffert Oval from 5pm.
Despite the disruptions ahead of the season due to the coronavirus pandemic, Edwards is confident the GDJCA will have close to the same number of registrations as normal.
"Were still confident that we'll have a good number of participants," she said.
"Joeys opened their registrations last week and have nearly got a team already, which is unusual.
"By the time summer comes around, with the reality that this is the new norm, everyone will have taken it on board and hopefully they'll just want to get on with it.
"We've got all the new protocols in place and we'll have a good season. Cricket's a sport where you're outside and there's minimal sport anyway. We're hoping to get numbers that rival seasons past."
The GDJCA also confirmed the presence of the Marulan Mad Bulls in the competition this year, an addition about which Edwards expressed her excitement.
As is the case for all sports, the GDJCA have also introduced COVID-19 health measures this season, which include the appointment of a safety officer.
Further details about health protocols will be available closer to the season. For registrations, please visit www.playcricket.com.au.
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