The football fields around Australia are looking awfully empty at the moment with a nation-wide suspension on Football due to the COVID-19 virus concern.

During the week, I caught up some clubs around Queensland and the impact that this suspension has had on them.

In the small town of Biloela, 120 kilometres west of Gladstone, the Biloela Valleys FC players were just about ready to play their first game this weekend for the season before the suspension was put into place. Joshua Harlick, the vice-president of the club says that they are not too concerned with the suspension and that it was inevitable.

“The start of the season was due for this weekend, usually with juniors, we have a few rounds then it’s school holidays, so the impact isn’t too bad at the moment, just a small loss of income for the clubs for the first couple of rounds.” Harlick said.

Harlick explains that there isn’t much concern in the town with the virus saying there is no real panic at the moment but for the club the costs could be an issue if the suspension continues for longer.

“The club as a whole, feels fine with the suspension at the moment. April is not too far away the only concern is if it gets close to that date and we have to push it back further.”

“We are in talks with Central Queensland Football and depending on when the season starts if we get a discount on our fees, currently clubs in the Central Queensland region pay $350 -$450 in fees with a majority of that going to FFA.”

Meanwhile in the Western Suburbs of Brisbane, the suspension has created a large workload for the University of Queensland Football Club administration team.

With 120 UQFC teams that were due to start last weekend before Football Brisbane suspended matches due to a mix of wet weather and COVID-19 concerns, Andrew Bird the President of the club is more worried about how they will fit all their teams onto their fields. The club has the issue that they have only a total of two playing fields available for their juniors, while also having one of the highest player counts in Queensland.

“The suspension of fixtures and the prospect of re-configuring games for over 120 teams for just our club is a daunting prospect.” Bird said.

“With over 120 teams to re-organise, the downtime will involve plans on when, where and how we fit games for 120 teams onto 2 fields.”

Bird said that the cost of this suspension is yet to be determined as the club has already outlaid significant funds for playing fields maintenance, field hire, lights and electricity had to be paid already for trials and pre-season training but there is the concern if the season can’t go ahead.

“Expenditure has been outlaid, so the prospect of full cancellation of season and not being able to rely on annual memberships would, like most clubs, have a significant detrimental effect.”

The UQFC players and coaches are frustrated but understanding according to Bird who also coaches in the club as well.

“Players like to play, and coaches want to coach. So, any delay is frustrating, but in these unprecedented times most are getting it.”

For many clubs this is an unusual time and with changes and updates coming day by day, many clubs are unsure on what is happening and will need your support. Even the A-League has taken a hard hit with teams in self-isolation and all matches behind-closed-doors.

Please support your local clubs in these strange times and keep looking forward to football back in mid-April.