The wait is finally over; players have returned to the training pitch as A-League inches closer to the resumption of matches.
Several A-League clubs recommenced training his week following a near three-month hiatus and the players’ enthusiasm was evident.
While the players were met with new health screening processes, which the PFA outlined in this week’s episode of #TalkingPointTuesday, they were overwhelmingly energised to resume their core work as footballers.
As part of a ‘new normal’ adopted by sporting codes across the world, players’ respected social distancing protocols, wore masks for segments of their training, had their temperatures checked and clubs employed the use of sanitation devices on key equipment.
Following the postponement of the A-League season due to the introduction of health and Government restrictions in response to the global spread of coronavirus in late March, the FFA and the PFA confirmed the 2019/20 A-League season resumption in late May.
Now, clubs have just under a month until the season restarts to fine tune their match fitness before the fixtures commence.
PFA President Alex Wilkinson welcomed the return to work, with the Sydney FC skipper praising the efforts of A-League players whose collective sacrifice helped salvage the competition.
“It’s obviously great to be back training this week,” Wilkinson told pfa.net.au. “The last few months have been full of uncertainty and anxiousness for the playing group so it’s nice to have some clarity over the next three months so we can resume the season, and all get back to doing what we love; playing football.
“The players’ commitment to finishing the season has been unwavering. Over last two months we have pushed and pushed to get back on to the pitch and finish what we all started this season.
“Without that commitment and sacrifice the season resumption may not have gone ahead and the players and fans might have been left without football for an extended period of time.”
Western United defender and PFA Delegate Jonathan Aspropotamitis also paid tribute to the role of the players, who were steadfast in their position on making a return and completing the campaign.
“We’re very relieved to be back on the training park with the whole team again,” Aspropotamitis said.
“It means a great deal to be out there again, mingling and working hard with the team in preparation for the remaining games. The last three months have been quite a long and testing time for the everyone in Australian football, but due to the tireless work of the PFA and its players, we’ve been able to come to a resolution and get back to what we love doing.
“It’s onwards and upwards from here and we are all looking forward to finishing off the season to give back to the fans of the league.”
Melbourne City midfielder Josh Brillante spoke to media via video link on Wednesday and said the deal to secure the return of the A-League was “massive” for the sport in Australia.
“It’s massive, just for the game of football in Australia. The A-League over the years has been growing and growing. Football is one of the most popular sports for kids around Australia, [so] for us to keep playing competitive games and then moving forward for the seasons after that, it’s so important.
“It’s been a long while and I think I can speak for everyone here; everyone is really happy and excited to be back. It’s exciting things are moving forward and we’re back to playing games.
“I think obviously a lot of people in the country love the sport, we love playing it, so it would have been sad to not be able to finish off the season, and again then there is a longer period of unknown.
“It’s great they have finalised that and we can get back to playing games.”
