are we being too precious about our grounds?

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Originally Posted by Yato

4mm of rain in the last 7 days. Quick, let’s close the grounds tonight!!!!

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I play at Argenton this week. I stopped in on Wednesday afternoon as I was driving by and the field was surprisingly dry. So when the games there this afternoon were called off after 6.6mm of rain I was surprised enough that I drove out there with a flash light to walk the field and see how drenched it must have got. Outside of one small area around half way the field was still pretty good. Far dryer than our home ground which has continued to have training on it all week and has games on it tonight. Absolutely gobsmacked that the Arge field is closed unless they're trying to save it for tomorrow's games as they have 3 tomorrow whereas they only had 2 planned for tonight.

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Originally Posted by gibsonmcqueen

I play at Argenton this week. I stopped in on Wednesday afternoon as I was driving by and the field was surprisingly dry. So when the games there this afternoon were called off after 6.6mm of rain I was surprised enough that I drove out there with a flash light to walk the field and see how drenched it must have got. Outside of one small area around half way the field was still pretty good. Far dryer than our home ground which has continued to have training on it all week and has games on it tonight. Absolutely gobsmacked that the Arge field is closed unless they're trying to save it for tomorrow's games as they have 3 tomorrow whereas they only had 2 planned for tonight.

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Good to know, I play there tomorrow too.

I just played on Charlestown Oval - it was a bit soft but not in any way dangerous

kudos to Charlestown for keeping their ground open

Argenton closed today because apparently there is puddles of water on the field and in one of the goals. I wonder what excuse they used last night as there sure as hell was no issue with it last night. I went out there and walked it myself.

The associations may as well fold the comps and give everyone their money back so we can at least spend it on something productive. My team now has 4 washouts and work rain anticipated all week, I wouldn't be surprised if we've played 1 in 6 by this time next week.

My last message got deleted when I tried to edit it. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong there. Anywho, I went out to Argie to check the field after it was cancelled today due to "puddles on the field" and they weren't lying, there were puddles on the field. Sort of ground you'd play a final on but not a normal round. So I can't blame the Argenton club for having it closed today (fully admit before visiting the ground though I was and I was wrong)

What makes no sense to me though is why they closed it last night. As I said, I went out there around the kickoff of what would have been the first game, with a torch and walked the entire field and there was no reason that those games should have been off and so calling those sort of games off is just going to make scheduling washouts that much harder as it's more games that need scheduling.

Let's be honest though, the season isn't going to be extended due to the cricket season always starting so quickly after soccer. They're running out if weeks to play washout games, we're (my team) is now at needing to play 4 wash outs over the next 9 rounds and with rain projected all week that's not going to change. The associations either need to work out a way to make sure games go on (don't ask me how), negotiate a way to make the season go longer (never seen it happen in the 25 years I've been playing), or may as well call the season, refund everyone their money and let people go and play some other sport (basketball and ice hockey never get washed out I'm told 😅)

We got on against Greta Branxton @ Rutherford last night. The field itself was actually quite firm.

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Originally Posted by gibsonmcqueen

Let's be honest though, the season isn't going to be extended due to the cricket season always starting so quickly after soccer. They're running out if weeks to play washout games, we're (my team) is now at needing to play 4 wash outs over the next 9 rounds and with rain projected all week that's not going to change. The associations either need to work out a way to make sure games go on (don't ask me how), negotiate a way to make the season go longer (never seen it happen in the 25 years I've been playing), or may as well call the season, refund everyone their money and let people go and play some other sport (basketball and ice hockey never get washed out I'm told ��)

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Refunds? :rof::rof::rof::rof: But yes clubs will need to be very flexible to get games in. Theres been spells of dry where no games were happening.

Clubs should be allowed to negotiate matches to played asap and not waiting for this August shyte like the rd1 catchups.

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Originally Posted by gibsonmcqueen

Let's be honest though, the season isn't going to be extended due to the cricket season always starting so quickly after soccer. They're running out if weeks to play washout games, we're (my team) is now at needing to play 4 wash outs over the next 9 rounds and with rain projected all week that's not going to change. The associations either need to work out a way to make sure games go on (don't ask me how), negotiate a way to make the season go longer (never seen it happen in the 25 years I've been playing), or may as well call the season, refund everyone their money and let people go and play some other sport (basketball and ice hockey never get washed out I'm told ��)

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I’ll preface my comments below by starting with saying that I’m talking about community level football and cricket. Not NPL/NL1 & not the 2 day district cricket.

Cricket traditionally has started the Saturday after the October long weekend (Sat 8th for 2022). Inter district grand finals are currently booked in for 2/3/4 September (last comp round 5/6/7 august, then spare weekend, minor/major finals 19/20/21 aug, prelims 26/27/28 aug). Purely looking at dates, the latest they could conceivably play grand finals would be 23/24/25 September (keeping the long weekend free of football), so realistically the latest regular season competition rounds could be played would be 2/3/4 September to allow for a 3 week final series. That’s an additional 4 weeks they could extend the season for.
My understanding is that CCF have rescheduled their round 1&2 games that were called off to after their last round of the original schedule.

The only factor unaccounted for is preparation of turf wickets, which would take out grounds such as Jesmond Park (for example), but there’s no reason a ground like John street (as an example) where there’s a synthetic wicket between two fields couldn’t be used into October & beyond if needed (notwithstanding cricket having preference to bookings once October begins).

TL;DR - there’s no reason the zones can’t extend the season by a month, they just need to get off their arses and do it.

Realistically they need to organise them sooner. My rd 1 match was rescheduled to mid july! Should be rescheduled asap and not up to the associations who seem to take forever to reorganise games

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Originally Posted by Thomas477

Realistically they need to organise them sooner. My rd 1 match was rescheduled to mid july! Should be rescheduled asap and not up to the associations who seem to take forever to reorganise games

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Absolutely! Macquarie in particular have been dragging the chain. Newcastle & Hunter Valley have rescheduled multiple games already.

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Originally Posted by northern_swan

Absolutely! Macquarie in particular have been dragging the chain. Newcastle & Hunter Valley have rescheduled multiple games already.

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I appreciate it’s a difficult job, but they should just try to reschedule as many Saturday games for the Sunday the following week or the week after, similar to how Zone is handled. Yes some grounds may have a lot of women games on Sunday, but work around that. Ie Jaffas only use Harry 1 this season, could use Harry 2 to help reschedule games.

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Originally Posted by Thomas477

Realistically they need to organise them sooner. My rd 1 match was rescheduled to mid july! Should be rescheduled asap and not up to the associations who seem to take forever to reorganise games

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Us too, and it's smack in the middle of school holidays as well. Can see plenty of rescheduled matches getting forfeited due to lack of players. We're pushing to get a home washout of ours rescheduled to mid-week.

Everyone understands the rain and the current washout situation each week, but I agree, games need to be rescheduled ASAP. Last week was fine all week, and I know of a couple of clubs that played rescheduled games, but then you have other teams that have 4 to play and not one has been rescheduled yet! It's not that hard surely!
My daughter's team played up the valley yesterday - the ground was perfect. 2 fields & that was the only game on for the whole day.
The associations need to start getting together and using fields like these to play double headers every weekend. Just do it.
About time they starting earning their money and being a bit proactive - re-organise them earlier!
There are plenty of clubs around that have vacant grounds every 2nd weekend, start using them.
Hopefully with the media coverage that the situation is getting now, rescheduling will start happening enmass, but then again nothing has changed in the last 20 years, we can only hope!

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Originally Posted by Yato

Everyone understands the rain and the current washout situation each week, but I agree, games need to be rescheduled ASAP. Last week was fine all week, and I know of a couple of clubs that played rescheduled games, but then you have other teams that have 4 to play and not one has been rescheduled yet! It's not that hard surely!
My daughter's team played up the valley yesterday - the ground was perfect. 2 fields & that was the only game on for the whole day.
The associations need to start getting together and using fields like these to play double headers every weekend. Just do it.
About time they starting earning their money and being a bit proactive - re-organise them earlier!
There are plenty of clubs around that have vacant grounds every 2nd weekend, start using them.
Hopefully with the media coverage that the situation is getting now, rescheduling will start happening enmass, but then again nothing has changed in the last 20 years, we can only hope!

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And I know of a club that cancelled rescheduled games last week when we finally had some nice weather because some of their players had colds and northern allowed it.

Cookers NPL got a game on tonight against lakes and the ground looked ok on the TV but had a lot of water up one end.
Cookers 5 v lakes 0

We are a week away from an ultimatum from zones and association. More wash outs 0-0 draws. Across all levels but Premier 1st grade replays. I feel sorry for kids and especially Premier parents in JDL and NPL/NL1 who pay big bucks. I have to wonder why Northern and the zones didn't see this situation coming with poor grounds in all Councils. I recall someone questioned why Newcastle Football spent a $1m on an office when it could have paid for an artificial surface somewhere. Or 10 drainage programs at varying clubs. Might be time to ask what the paid leaders are planning to reduce the impact. The only winners at the moment is Basketball. Easy to blame weather but so much money is incorrectly used by these co-op associations, Members need to question them.

Attachment 1782

Best cancel the weekends games now ;-)

I understand the difficulties in what is considered when calling a ground unsafe to play on.
That said calling a Saturday game off early on Friday afternoon is ridiculous, maybe the Association have to step in as it seems some clubs can't be trusted.

I’m an advocate for making every opportunity to play. Often argue with the grounds staff. So today I walked Liles oval and there was no choice. It’s bloody wet. The bad areas are soggy and you sink when walking.

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Originally Posted by Premy

I understand the difficulties in what is considered when calling a ground unsafe to play on.
That said calling a Saturday game off early on Friday afternoon is ridiculous, maybe the Association have to step in as it seems some clubs can't be trusted.

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100%. We've had our match tomorrow called off this arvo while one of our blokes was standing by their field watching it get mowed. Take a punt and wait till the morning. Do not understand what is achieved by calling off on Friday given the season so far and what is going to be the season going forward.

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Originally Posted by 2ndclasscitizen

100%. We've had our match tomorrow called off this arvo while one of our blokes was standing by their field watching it get mowed. Take a punt and wait till the morning. Do not understand what is achieved by calling off on Friday given the season so far and what is going to be the season going forward.

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Are they saving it for a higher grade Sunday? But yes calling a Saturday game on Friday is stretching it

With the money we pay for rego only to not be able to play a winter sport is ridiculous

For those in the Newcastle Council area, this what council sends to the clubs every so often. The assessment is done using a council app and answering questions. It then decides if the field is open or closed. You have to take pictures with the app to support your answers.

Good afternoon all,

It feels like ground hog day...
We appreciate that club volunteers are being asked when sport can resume. As an update, Newcastle has received more than 614 millimetres of rainfall since February and Monday just gone, another 50.4 millimetres was recorded.
Leading into the weekend, many sportsgrounds remain wet, with those in low lying areas or close to waterways struggling to dry out in the cooler weather. Following today's inspections, please see here for current sportsground conditions.
Reminder on assessment process for any usage over the weekend (including tonight) –

From 2.30pm Friday to Sunday night, if it rains, an assessment will need to be completed prior to any train/ play.
If the sportsground is showing as closed, an assessment must be completed before any play/ train and can only be used if the assessment shows the sportsground as open.
If assessed and open, please be reminded that inspections should be completed throughout the day to ascertain if there is any deterioration to the condition of the sportsground.

Please be reminded that any excessive damage caused from inappropriate use is the responsibility of the Licensee. This may include recovery of all remediation costs and / or possible suspension of licence in instances where such damage is considered to be excessive and greater than would be expected from normal wear and tear. Additionally, any excessive damage caused to the sportsground from inappropriate use will be charged as per City of Newcastle’s fees and charges, “Use of Sportsground out of season, without approval/licence, closed or in wet weather".


We will continue to complete regular assessments across our 160 sportsgrounds to ensure all maintenance work continues when ground conditions allow.

Hopefully we see the sun out all weekend and it continues into next week.

Thank you again for all you are doing for community sport and should you have any questions, please contact me.

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Originally Posted by Charman

I’m an advocate for making every opportunity to play. Often argue with the grounds staff. So today I walked Liles oval and there was no choice. It’s bloody wet. The bad areas are soggy and you sink when walking.

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Spot on.
What’s the point in waiting until Saturday morning if it’s obvious the ground won’t be playable? It’s not like we are talking a little bit of rain. The Herald reported on Thursday that Newcastle had received 119.8mm of rain since Saturday. It’s not like it’s going to dry out overnight.

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Originally Posted by late_to_the_game

For those in the Newcastle Council area, this what council sends to the clubs every so often. The assessment is done using a council app and answering questions. It then decides if the field is open or closed. You have to take pictures with the app to support your answers.

Good afternoon all,

It feels like ground hog day...
We appreciate that club volunteers are being asked when sport can resume. As an update, Newcastle has received more than 614 millimetres of rainfall since February and Monday just gone, another 50.4 millimetres was recorded.
Leading into the weekend, many sportsgrounds remain wet, with those in low lying areas or close to waterways struggling to dry out in the cooler weather. Following today's inspections, please see here for current sportsground conditions.
Reminder on assessment process for any usage over the weekend (including tonight) –

From 2.30pm Friday to Sunday night, if it rains, an assessment will need to be completed prior to any train/ play.
If the sportsground is showing as closed, an assessment must be completed before any play/ train and can only be used if the assessment shows the sportsground as open.
If assessed and open, please be reminded that inspections should be completed throughout the day to ascertain if there is any deterioration to the condition of the sportsground.

Please be reminded that any excessive damage caused from inappropriate use is the responsibility of the Licensee. This may include recovery of all remediation costs and / or possible suspension of licence in instances where such damage is considered to be excessive and greater than would be expected from normal wear and tear. Additionally, any excessive damage caused to the sportsground from inappropriate use will be charged as per City of Newcastle’s fees and charges, “Use of Sportsground out of season, without approval/licence, closed or in wet weather".


We will continue to complete regular assessments across our 160 sportsgrounds to ensure all maintenance work continues when ground conditions allow.

Hopefully we see the sun out all weekend and it continues into next week.

Thank you again for all you are doing for community sport and should you have any questions, please contact me.

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The app allows clubs to open the grounds on weekends even if Council has closed them but the liability then transfers to the clubs if someone gets injured. Plus you have Council threatening clubs with fines, licence suspensions, costs for repairing turf. And people wonder why games don’t get played.

I don’t blame the clubs at all. It’s a brave committee that makes a 50-50 call with all the Council noise buzzing in their ear.

If ya games don’t play this weekend, cut the clubs some slack and take up your beef with NCC.

I bet NCC still charge the clubs ground usage even if the ground is closed
That’s fine NCC can close the ground but if the ground is closed all week surely the club should get a rebate on their fees

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Originally Posted by northern_swan

Spot on.
What’s the point in waiting until Saturday morning if it’s obvious the ground won’t be playable? It’s not like we are talking a little bit of rain. The Herald reported on Thursday that Newcastle had received 119.8mm of rain since Saturday. It’s not like it’s going to dry out overnight.

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The point is that teams already have a list of rescheduled games to make up. Even if there is a slight chance the condition of that pitch will get better than you need to take that chance.
It's not like taking that chance is some huge gamble we're you'll lose big if you don't wait, all you have to do is wait 14 hours give or take.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by late_to_the_game

For those in the Newcastle Council area, this what council sends to the clubs every so often. The assessment is done using a council app and answering questions. It then decides if the field is open or closed. You have to take pictures with the app to support your answers.

Good afternoon all,

It feels like ground hog day...
We appreciate that club volunteers are being asked when sport can resume. As an update, Newcastle has received more than 614 millimetres of rainfall since February and Monday just gone, another 50.4 millimetres was recorded.
Leading into the weekend, many sportsgrounds remain wet, with those in low lying areas or close to waterways struggling to dry out in the cooler weather. Following today's inspections, please see here for current sportsground conditions.
Reminder on assessment process for any usage over the weekend (including tonight) –

From 2.30pm Friday to Sunday night, if it rains, an assessment will need to be completed prior to any train/ play.
If the sportsground is showing as closed, an assessment must be completed before any play/ train and can only be used if the assessment shows the sportsground as open.
If assessed and open, please be reminded that inspections should be completed throughout the day to ascertain if there is any deterioration to the condition of the sportsground.

Please be reminded that any excessive damage caused from inappropriate use is the responsibility of the Licensee. This may include recovery of all remediation costs and / or possible suspension of licence in instances where such damage is considered to be excessive and greater than would be expected from normal wear and tear. Additionally, any excessive damage caused to the sportsground from inappropriate use will be charged as per City of Newcastle’s fees and charges, “Use of Sportsground out of season, without approval/licence, closed or in wet weather".


We will continue to complete regular assessments across our 160 sportsgrounds to ensure all maintenance work continues when ground conditions allow.

Hopefully we see the sun out all weekend and it continues into next week.

Thank you again for all you are doing for community sport and should you have any questions, please contact me.

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The wording of this is very threatening to clubs imo. Basically a situation of, If the field looks damaged or used in any way when we inspect it, you’ll be charged. Which is an unnecessary cost that a club has to pay, and recoup through its members.

So I can see why many are hesitant to open when they are getting emails like that.


If it’s any consolation, games in Sydney are also being called off all over the place.

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Originally Posted by Bremsstrahlung

The wording of this is very threatening to clubs imo. Basically a situation of, If the field looks damaged or used in any way when we inspect it, you’ll be charged. Which is an unnecessary cost that a club has to pay, and recoup through its members.

So I can see why many are hesitant to open when they are getting emails like that.


If it’s any consolation, games in Sydney are also being called off all over the place.

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People need to start lobbying and harassing elected council members, Councils refuse to consider synthetic options even when clubs are doing all the work and installation will be done with grant money. Then they send threatening emails about use of the grounds they can't be assed to make fit for purpose.

If people want change they need to start pushing the elected members to do a better job, instead of spending money on new cars and friggin concerts and motorsports (in Newcastle). They like to take all the credit when clubs get grants for womens facilities and upgrades, but don't want to come to the table when they actually have to do something that involves serving the community.

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Originally Posted by KITZ

People need to start lobbying and harassing elected council members, Councils refuse to consider synthetic options even when clubs are doing all the work and installation will be done with grant money. Then they send threatening emails about use of the grounds they can't be assed to make fit for purpose.

If people want change they need to start pushing the elected members to do a better job, instead of spending money on new cars and friggin concerts and motorsports (in Newcastle). They like to take all the credit when clubs get grants for womens facilities and upgrades, but don't want to come to the table when they actually have to do something that involves serving the community.

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Pffft, council are more interested in spending millions on a brand new office and making sure Nelmes and co have a pay rise.

Don’t forget that Newcastle has increased rates by nearly 50% of the past 5 or so years, and yet we’re seeing very little work on our sports grounds. Look at Smith Park add lights there plus improve the sheds and it could support 4-5 fields but NCC don’t care.

Maitland Jaffas game called off at Maitland today

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Originally Posted by Thomas477

Pffft, council are more interested in spending millions on a brand new office and making sure Nelmes and co have a pay rise.

Don’t forget that Newcastle has increased rates by nearly 50% of the past 5 or so years, and yet we’re seeing very little work on our sports grounds. Look at Smith Park add lights there plus improve the sheds and it could support 4-5 fields but NCC don’t care.

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I agree with you completely.

We have a mayor who won't put bins in toilets for women, but spent 85k of council money on a special order ford ranger with a special paint tint - he couldn't even comprehend the optics of spending money on something that needs that much fuel (claimed he paid the difference for fuel for private use (at $2 a litre)) let alone the consideration of cost of living rises for his community or the fact that council has a green policy and could have better spent the money on an EV!!

These are the people who are controlling the use and maintenance of our sporting facilities.

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Originally Posted by Swanky

I bet NCC still charge the clubs ground usage even if the ground is closed
That’s fine NCC can close the ground but if the ground is closed all week surely the club should get a rebate on their fees

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They do rebate on closed days.

I'm presuming nearly everyone got on this weekend? Surely, it hasn't rained since Tuesday.

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Originally Posted by KITZ

I agree with you completely.

We have a mayor who won't put bins in toilets for women, but spent 85k of council money on a special order ford ranger with a special paint tint - he couldn't even comprehend the optics of spending money on something that needs that much fuel (claimed he paid the difference for fuel for private use (at $2 a litre)) let alone the consideration of cost of living rises for his community or the fact that council has a green policy and could have better spent the money on an EV!!

These are the people who are controlling the use and maintenance of our sporting facilities.

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Good old Port Stephens Council

this is going to be released on social media at 4:30 this afternoon:

the following is scheduled for all competitions: ‐
MiniRoos to Adult
 8th,9th, 10th July – Round 1 games (previously published)
 12th, 13th, 14th August – Round 4 games
 19th, 20th, 21st August – Round 5 games
 Other games that need resetting from other rounds will be either midweek or Sundays for the
remainder of the season.

Zone Football League
 12th, 13th, 14th August – Wet Weather… 2022 fixtures
 19th, 20th, 21st August – additional Wet Weather
 26th, 27th, 28th August – Round 18

Quote:

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Originally Posted by boz-monaut

this is going to be released on social media at 4:30 this afternoon:

the following is scheduled for all competitions: ‐
MiniRoos to Adult
 8th,9th, 10th July – Round 1 games (previously published)
 12th, 13th, 14th August – Round 4 games
 19th, 20th, 21st August – Round 5 games
 Other games that need resetting from other rounds will be either midweek or Sundays for the
remainder of the season.

Zone Football League
 12th, 13th, 14th August – Wet Weather… 2022 fixtures
 19th, 20th, 21st August – additional Wet Weather
 26th, 27th, 28th August – Round 18

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This is good, definitely a start. Hopefully weather is drier by then.

Still pretty cheesed off that Macquarie is dragging their heels on getting other rounds replayed. Our Round 2 game at home could have been played last Sunday this Sunday, days during the week last week, this week, yet it still hasn't been reorganised yet. It'd be different if there were games being played on it and we just had to wait our turn to get on and play, but they're not rescheduling any games to go on it, they're just sitting empty.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gibsonmcqueen

Still pretty cheesed off that Macquarie is dragging their heels on getting other rounds replayed. Our Round 2 game at home could have been played last Sunday this Sunday, days during the week last week, this week, yet it still hasn't been reorganised yet. It'd be different if there were games being played on it and we just had to wait our turn to get on and play, but they're not rescheduling any games to go on it, they're just sitting empty.

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That’s the biggest question for me. I appreciate it’s hard work to reorganise, but surely it doesn’t take *this* long.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by boz-monaut

this is going to be released on social media at 4:30 this afternoon:

the following is scheduled for all competitions: ‐
MiniRoos to Adult
 8th,9th, 10th July – Round 1 games (previously published)
 12th, 13th, 14th August – Round 4 games
 19th, 20th, 21st August – Round 5 games
 Other games that need resetting from other rounds will be either midweek or Sundays for the
remainder of the season.

Zone Football League
 12th, 13th, 14th August – Wet Weather… 2022 fixtures
 19th, 20th, 21st August – additional Wet Weather
 26th, 27th, 28th August – Round 18

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Ridiculous idea having the two wet weather weekends back to back. So if a team actually has their matches up to date, it will mean they have two weeks with no games in the lead up to finals. Surely the two weekends could have been spread out a little.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lofty

Ridiculous idea having the two wet weather weekends back to back. So if a team actually has their matches up to date, it will mean they have two weeks with no games in the lead up to finals. Surely the two weekends could have been spread out a little.

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Spot on you almost want one in that period