Preparations for next month's Kanga Cup tournament have been plunged into disarray after Sydney's latest Coronavirus outbreak escalated on Wednesday.
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At least 10 Sydney-based clubs, most of which were set to enter multiple teams in the prestigious annual junior tournament, are situated in one of seven local government areas (LGAs) which are considered COVID-19 hotspots.
The latest health restrictions have banned people who live or work in one of the hotspot LGAs from leaving metropolitan Sydney until June 30, when health guidelines will be revised.
That is set to affect every age group in the Kanga Cup, scheduled to begin on July 4, and significantly reduce the number of 300-plus teams that had registered.
Tournament organisers are closely monitoring the situation and are in constant communication with ACT Health as Sydney-based clubs prepare for the worst.
"It's all unfolding pretty quick," Abbotsford Juniors FC secretary John Encina said.
"I think we probably won't be able to attend. They [the players] will be gutted, absolutely.
"Unfortunately we're living in uncertain times at the moment. We're not allowed to leave Sydney metro unless it's for essential travel, but that wouldn't be classified as that.
"It is a wait and see. I was personally going to go because I've got a daughter and son participating but we're waiting on Football NSW to give some advice."
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Encina's club is based in Chiswick, which is part of Sydney's Canada Bay area - one of the seven LGAs now considered a hotspot.
Easts FC, based in Bondi Junction and part of the Waverley local government area, had 11 teams entered in the Kanga Cup, and was desperately hopeful the COVID-19 situation would ease in time for the tournament.
"Currently we have suspended training for today, tomorrow and Friday and are awaiting advice for weekend games from Football NSW," Easts FC president Chris Thomas said.
"We understand the situation is fluid, the current suspension from my understanding is for seven days so if the numbers improve we are hopeful.
"I haven't been in touch with Capital Football, but I have been keeping in touch with the ACT government website and their directions".
Sydney's Bondi COVID-19 cluster had grown to 31 cases as of Wednesday, which forced NSW Health's hand into bringing back a range of restrictive measures to try and contain the rapidly spreading virus.
Capital Football remained hopeful the effect on the Kanga Cup would be minimal.
"We continue to monitor the situation and are in regular contact with ACT Health," a Capital Football spokesperson said.
"We are also communicating with teams who have entered [the Kanga Cup]. We'll provide further updates when new information is known."
An ACT Health spokesperson said: "Should non-ACT residents wish to travel to the ACT, they would need to first abide by NSW public health directions. If permitted to travel, they would need to submit and gain an approved exemption before travelling to the ACT."
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
