The announcement represents the next step in the governing body's moves to resume football after an easing of restrictions by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on May 11 allowed for the return of training for football clubs provided they observed social distancing requirements and limited themselves to groups of ten or less. 

Grassroots football was initially suspended March 17 as the COVID-19 pandemic began to take hold around the globe. 

Presumptive of there being no further widescale outbreaks of coronavirus in Victoria, approval from Federal and State health officials, and a tick-off from the Victorian Government and Sport and Recreation Victoria, FV has targeted the following dates for the resumption of football. 

  • Community Football Clubs (including juniors): June 28
  • NPL Juniors: June 20
  • NPL Seniors: Early July

"Our decision to go public with these dates is indicative of our commitment to ensure that competitive football at all levels returns as soon as possible," FV said in a statement. 

"Football Victoria will continue to keep the football community informed and updated in the coming weeks with regard to any developments, especially in regard to the resumption of increased training numbers and, ultimately, the return of competition play.

"Whilst we are delighted to see the manner in which our clubs have adjusted to the new realities of modified training and limited social contact, we remind our entire football community that any breaches of the existing social distancing rules may compromise our ability to resume football."

The announcement of the return to play targets come as FV continues to wrangle with the clubs that make up the senior ranks of its top-tier NPL competition around that league's return. 

Ten of those 14 clubs have expressed resistance to the 2020 season - which was five rounds old at the time of its suspension in March - resuming this year due to concerns surrounding operating costs without live crowds, a loss of sponsorship due to the economic impacts of COVID-19 and doubts over the integrity of any proposed 2020 competition. 

“At this time, it's the united position of our members that the resumption and conclusion of the 2020 senior men's NPL competition isn't financially viable," Australian Football Clubs Chairman Nick Galatas told FTBL on March 14.

Speaking to The Age on Tuesday, FV CEO Peter Filopoulos said that Hume City, Green Gully South Melbourne and Eastern Lions (the first two of whom have already announced a return to senior training) were keen to resume the season, alongside senior NPL2 and NPL3 clubs - who FTBL understands are unanimous in their willingness to return to play. 

"We have got all the NPL2 and NPL3 clubs on board wanting to play out their season. We have a handful of top-tier teams who also want to play, maybe nine or 10 who have doubts and have not changed their minds yet," Filopoulos told The Age.

"We are working on solutions. We would expect that some will change their minds before we do kick-off but we can't say how many or who."

FTBL understands that one option being considered by FV involves the employment of a hybrid style competition in which NPL clubs would play off of with NPL2 and NPL3 sides. 

In an interview with FTBL on Monday, Hume City President Steve Kaya affirmed his club's desire to resume the 2020 season, as well as questioning the motives of those clubs that had expressed reservations on returning.

“First of all, we’re a football club and we should be playing football whenever is possible,” Kaya said. “We’re a football club, why should we refuse to play football? So, our decision is, of course, you want to play.

“What upsets me is that everyone has their own agendas, the place is full of politics and there are no straight shooters."

Galatas, however, insisted that the reluctant top-tier NPL clubs were operating in good faith. 

"Those 10 clubs who have taken a different view have done it in good faith, having regard to the reality of their club's circumstances. They would love to play too, if they could," he told FTBL on Monday.

“All clubs respect each other's position. If Hume can resume, then they can resume. The pandemic has affected us all differently. Some have coped better than others.

"This is a time not to leave anyone behind, if possible. Most NPL1 clubs have expressed an inability to play this year for myriad compelling reasons.”