Pennant Update – 2020/21 Season

When we thought we had seen it all after floods, heat, bushfires with smoke impacts we are now contending with a pandemic. Whilst it appears that the start to the season will be delayed, the Pennant Committee is hopeful that we will get to play Pennant in season 2020/2021. Planning is going on behind the scenes and the committee felt that it should provide an update on it’s thinking.

The committee has developed 3 start date options:

• Option 1 (as originally planned but highly unlikely) – Weekend commencing 10 Oct and Midweek commencing 13 Oct
• Option 2 – Weekend commencing 7 Nov and Midweek commencing 10 Nov
• Option 3 – Weekend commencing 16 Jan 21 and Midweek commencing 19 Jan 20

For any of the options to be viable it will be dependent on the following:

• Restrictions being lifted to enable a minimum of 32 players per Green,
• The “Border Bubble” restrictions being eased or removed,
• No COVID-19 “hotspots” in our region

The Pennant Committee will hopefully be in a position to make a decision on the starting date by mid-September when restrictions are expected to be eased in Victoria and hopefully an easing of restrictions on the border.

Additionally, the Pennant Committee anticipates that should the 2020/21 season get underway, for the early part of the season, there will be restrictions on numbers within enclosed spaces within clubs and higher hygiene requirements. To accommodate the anticipated restrictions:

• Clubs will not be required to provide afternoon tea for Weekend Pennant,
• All games will most likely be set at 21 ends and play straight through,
• Refreshments, after the game will be consumed outdoors, subject to club arrangements and condition of licences.

Note: The Pennant Committee has allowed for one catch up day should a washout/heat-out occur.

The proposed dates are as follows:

Due to the impact of the bushfires and the pandemic the Pennant Committee needs to identify the impact on clubs and their availability to field sides for the coming season.

Below is a table showing the Club Pennant Sides Entries for Pennant season 2020-2021. Please note that one side in in Weekend Pennant and two sides in Midweek are yet to be placed. It is hoped that these un-allotted sides can be allocated once clubs confirm their requirements for the coming season.

Additionally, there has been some adjustment to sides in B Division to accommodate promotions/relegations and to ensure better balance in the geographic regions.

In order that a Draw can be completed it is essential that clubs advise of any adjustments to their requirements NLT 06 Sep 20.