WITH the Victorian Government's roadmap suggesting competition sport can't go ahead until 80 per cent of the state is vaccinated, the Wangaratta and District Cricket Association won't be starting in the near future.
The early indications are that that figure won't be reached until November which would rule out a proportion of the WDCA's one day competition.
The league is now aiming to start on November 6.
WDCA president Greg Hoysted said the association is working through the roadmap.
"We're working our way through the map and looking at starting early November now, given things don't change," Hoysted said.
"The (COVID–19) numbers haven't been good the past couple of days and the potential exposure sites in Wangaratta are making us all nervous but hopefully we can get through.
"We're now re–modelling our draws and hoping to start the first weekend of November."
Hoysted said this year's season would now likely have less two–day games due to the later start date.
"It now works out that our one day games might run into January," he said.
"That would mean we'd reduce the two–dayers in the senior games by chopping some in half to make more one–dayers.
"It's a pretty straight forward process where the two–dayers give us some flexibility."
Although competition can't begin, clubs can now train in the lead up to the start of the season.
"A positive to take out is that players will be more ready than ever because they're able to still train," Hoysted said.
"We might find that our players are the best prepared there's ever been because they have a long pre–season.
"A lot of the times footballers want to have a break between the two seasons before getting into cricket and that won't be a problem now.
"We've gone from not having much of a pre–season to having a long one so it's funny how quick things can change."
Association officials are also keeping a close eye on border restrictions with many players from Yarrawonga Mulwala and Rutherglen residing in NSW.
"We're keeping our eye on border restrictions too at the moment," Hoysted said.
"Things can change very quickly so that's something to keep in our minds."
