STABILITY is the key theme for the Mininera and District football league as it navigates a universally tumultuous 2020.
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AFL Western District announced that the league would maintain the same player points cap for all of its clubs next season.
It follows an earlier announcement that every Mininera league club would remain with a $70,000 salary cap in 2021, while other leagues governed by AFL Western District would have their salary caps reduced.
Mininera and District league president John Box said he supported the decision to remain stable.
"We're quite happy with it considering the year we've had," he said.
"It lets the clubs operate within what they know.
"You can never make everyone happy with the points system or a salary cap, but I think the clubs agree with it."
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Mr Box said more broadly, it was destined to be a testing 12 months for football and netball in the region.
He said it was important that every Mininera league club and even neighbouring leagues worked together for the longevity of community sport.
"We're all not quite sure how next year is going to pan out. It all depends on the virus and how long it goes on for," he said.
I think all country football leagues need to be working really close together now.
- John Box
"Instead of being individuals, we need to work closely so we can get on top of this, to get country footy going again.
"Everything is looking okay for next year. I've been in contact with the clubs and the main thing for me is just to make sure the clubs are going to survive.
"That's going to be the main thing, just getting everybody back up and running again."
Mr Box said among his primary concerns was the mental health of people missing community sport.
He hoped people considered the value of sport to the community during this period.
"It's certainly had a big impact in the Mininera, and on the health of people missing out on football and netball," he said.
"A lot of people from out in farming areas, those blokes used to get up on Thursday night, go into their club to have a beer and let off some steam.
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"Instead, without that, I think people are bottling it up, and it's not good for people.
"It's females and males too. People miss having a chat, getting out to meet each other.
"I really hope people realise how much they miss it. Most definitely a lot of people are missing it out here in the Mininera league."
Mr Box said a key focus was to maintain the junior competition, which was set to include 10 teams last season.
"We were really happy with our juniors. Hopefully we don't have to start back from square one again," he said.
Mr Box said the idea of raising the junior age groups had also been brought up, but there were mixed feelings among the board.
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