LIKE many other South Coast sports clubs, the Bomaderry Tigers Australian Football Club are busily preparing for the imminent return to the field.
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While Tigers club president Graham Duke admits the two weeks since AFL South Coast's approval on training resumption have been 'flat out', preparations have been ongoing since the league was locked down in March.
"Since play and training was suspended in early March, we have been in constant contact with AFL South Coast's Matt Graham," Duke said.
"Most of it has been via email but two weeks ago, we had an online information briefing, which involved representatives from each club.
"We also completed a survey, as to what safety precautions and plans we needed, what the revised season would look like, and what the clubs needed to have in place in order to commence training."
As challenging as it's been for the Tigers, Duke is proud of the way his club has handled the adversity.
"We had no option but to listen to the health authorities and AFL guidelines," he said.
"Although it was hard at the time, we accepted the decision to suspend the season - most players totally understood the decisions made.
"No games and having no social activities has been hard on everyone at our club.
"But we believe we have now met our obligations in regards to player education and what is expected for the return to small group training.
"Our players can expect to be given briefings at training also, so the message is clear.
"We await further easing of restrictions and are looking forward to a date when normal full contact training can resume, followed by a return to play date."
The black and golds will officially return to the training track for modified sessions next week, which will be held at the Nowra Showground - a venue that will host all their home fixtures this season as Artie Smith Oval is currently being renovated for the Koori Knockout.
But training, under the motto of 'get in, train and get out' will be very different to usual.
"The new protocols [for training] are very similar to the way the new normal life is, in that people are expected to use social distancing at all times, no contact training and drills, observing cleanliness guidelines, declaring any COVID-19 contact and generally staying away from training if unwell," Duke said.
"The current return to small group training protocols will split the ground into three parts and three groups of 10 only allowed on the field, with no swapping allowed - no doubt there will be challenges organising three sessions at once but I'm confident our coaches are up to the mark.
"Individuals must observe the protocols and procedures and we are hoping players and people around the club will accept the changes for the short term.
"Obviously having no social contact before or after training will take some getting used to but I'm confident our club will adhere to the policies.
"Other points of emphasis will be players turning up ready to train (fully taped and dressed), as sports trainers won't be at the sessions and the changerooms won't be open."
One person that will be in attendance to the sessions will be the club's COVID-Safe officer Belinda Holt - which is a mandatory requirement for all sports teams.
"Belinda's role will be to monitor the restrictions in place, ensure social distancing is kept between the players and spectators and that players abide by the new protocols," Duke said.
"Records will be kept of each group of 10, training attendance lists and any health concerns they have.
"Belinda will liaise with the committee (who have all done the COVID training too) in reporting any breaches, while informing AFL South Coast of any cases of coronavirus contact or infection that may impact the club.
"To assist her role and ensure we keep on top of this, we will need to continue to source and buy our own safety equipment, such as sanitisers.
Next week's return to training is expected to be the first step to matches potentially starting in mid-July.
"It is hoped by the time we get to game day, the situation will be as close to normal as possible," Duke said.
"The AFL is looking to cut the length of quarters and the interval breaks in order to help out players who have had a disrupted pre-season training program.
"These decisions will be made in the next six weeks before the season hopefully begins."
The club's senior and junior committees are working together to ensure COVID measures are covered across both groups for all training sessions - as the latter's competition will resume in early July.
Bomaderry's men's squad train Tuesday and Thursday from 6pm, while the women are on Monday and Wednsday (from 6pm) - both at the Nowra Showground.