The senior men’s NPL Victoria season had played five games prior to its suspension in March and would need to complete another 26 rounds to complete a full regular season. Senior men’s NPL2 and NPL3 and senior women’s NPL competitions had been set to begin their campaigns the week of grassroots and NPL football’s suspension.

"We're meeting with our clubs tonight," Filopoulos told FBTL."And we're looking forward to hearing their points of view.

"We're pleased, also, with the government announcement around the Experience Economy Survival Package, and there's a $40m fund for community sport and recreational bodies, which includes Football Victoria and our leagues and clubs. 

"There's also an opportunity for a further $16m to go to national sporting organisations which could capture professional sports such as the A-League and NPL."

The Experience Economy Survival Package was announced on Tuesday – a $150m package designed to prop up the state’s sporting and cultural sectors - $40m of which will go to community sporting associations, leagues and clubs.

“Football at every level has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, with the suspension of football activity having severe implications on the financial health of the game," FFA CEO James Johnson said in a statement.

"As a sport of nearly two million participants and over 2,300 community clubs across the country, football has felt the impact of COVID-19 more than most sports, particularly in states like Victoria where we have some of our largest numbers of participation

“This Survival Package will assist our community, semi-professional and professional clubs, and administrative bodies, during this difficult period. It will help ensure football can come out of the pandemic in a strong position and able to play a leading role in the recovery of Victoria.

“FFA commends Daniel Andrews’ Government for taking the lead in supporting sporting institutions, and we look forward to the return of community football training and competition in Victoria as soon as is possible.

“Football is going to play a key role in the recovery of Australian society and we remain focused on being a key partner for all levels of government in this respect.”

Filopoulos also welcomed the announcement: “This package is absolutely critical to ensure that our sporting clubs and institutions have a fighting chance of getting through what has been an incredibly tough period.

“In football, the effects of shutting down our game for several months are very significant.

“What we do know is that it will take an enormous, community-wide effort to get our clubs, leagues and associations restarted and this package will play a significant role in making sure that happens.”