GDHA confirms belated starting dates for all 2020 competitions

In a Facebook post on June 10, the GDHA announced it was targeting July 18 for a return to the field. However, the association needed to wait until today, when the state government's updated COVID guidelines were released, to confirm the beginning of the 2020 season.

"The confirmed start date will be the 18th of July for all competitions, we're just waiting for the clubs to finalise their teams which should happen by Friday," GDHA media officer Tammy Grady said.

News that the start of the season had been confirmed was warmly welcomed by the players in the club, Grady said.

"[The players are eager], which is fantastic," she said.

"I know from my daughter's point of view, it couldn't have come soon enough really. The juniors especially will be really keen to get back out there."

When players do arrive at the hockey fields, there will still be restrictions to which they need to adhere.

There will be a limit of one spectator per player on the field, while hand sanitiser stations have been erected throughout the facility as well.

The GDHA is also working on methods to ensure both players and spectators are logged and accounted for, to ensure matches are played in the safest possible environment.

Meanwhile, association staff will be present to ensure all precautions are met.

"A big part of it is down to people doing the right thing. If they follow social distancing guidelines we should be okay," Grady said.

"It's important that we get the comp back up and running, and in order to do that this is what we have to do.

"It'll also have a flow-on effect to the indoor competition, which is due to start later in the year."

The July 18 start date includes all local GDHA competitions, both senior and junior, which will run for 10 rounds.

The Canberra Capital League Division One competitions, which will feature Goulburn's men's and women's teams, will get underway a week earlier, from July 11.

For more information regarding the GDHA competitions, please contact the association through its Facebook page.

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