Next month's Kanga Cup has suffered a huge blow with almost two thirds of the registered teams forced to pull out due to Sydney's two-week lockdown.
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Of the 301 teams listed to compete in Canberra's annual junior tournament, 184 are from NSW - the majority of which are Sydney based and unable to travel.
Organisers are set to spend next week modifying their draw, but remain confident the July 4-9 tournament will still take place.
"Capital Football is aware of the new restrictions imposed by the NSW Government on Sydney and regional NSW," a spokesperson said.
"As previously advised, contingency plans have been established and will be worked through in detail in coming days.
"Capital Football is committed to ensuring the tournament is hosted in a safe and responsible manner, and will be in touch with all stakeholders and participants on Monday 28 June with a comprehensive update regarding all aspects of the tournament."
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It's the second-straight year the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the Kanga Cup, after organisers were forced to cancel it entirely in 2020, and the latest lockdown puts a major dampener on the competition's 30th year celebrations.
Several teams had declared earlier in the week they were unlikely to come due to the out-of-control virus in Sydney, which has stemmed from the Bondi cluster.
As Sydney plunged into lockdown yesterday, Canberra Olympic catapulted back into the Men's Premier League top four as a last-ditch Simon Rowan-Jones penalty handed his side a 1-0 triumph against West Canberra Wanderers.
Rowan-Jones stepped up and converted the 90th minute opportunity after Wanderers keeper Mason Interlandi brought down Olympic danger man Aisosa Ihegie late on. Wanderers remain in third spot.
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.
