AFFL CANCELS 2020 SEASON

Unfortunately, the news is not good news.

After hours of discussions, the Alliston Flag Football League has determined that it is in the best interest of the safety of all participants that the AFFL cancel the 2020 season.

In arriving at this decision, the AFFL Executive contacted the Town of New Tecumseth, the Simcoe County District School Board, Football Canada,  league referees and its insurance company as well as the two other flag football leagues in Simcoe County  (Barrie and Orillia) regarding return to play for the 2020 season.

"We feel this is the appropriate decision after taking everything into consideration," said AFFL President Greg Moore, speaking on behalf of the league executive and team reps.  "The AFFL has been playing since 1982 and we really don’t want to tarnish our league’s reputation with an ill-advised return to play."

Here are the highlights of the factors than went into the decision to cancel:

·  The Town has some protocols set up and there needs to be a written plan submitted for approval. After review, it is obvious that the league cannot comply with the physical distancing requirements

·     SCDSB (Banting) are currently not taking bookings

·  Football Canada has 5 stages in return to play, with 7-on-7 flag football being a Stage 3 Football Canada activity.  Right now,  Football Canada has no activities higher than Stage 2

·  Insurance would not cover any legal action resulting from someone contracting an   infectious disease

·   Not all referees are comfortable with returning to play. These guys are integral to the league's success and it would be a struggle every week to get enough coverage to play

·  Both Barrie and Orillia have not made formal announcements as of yet BUT have indicated that they will NOT be having a fall season in 2020

·  The risk of health is simply not worth it

"As you can see, we have done our due diligence and the decision to cancel the 2020 season was not taken lightly," Moore added. "I am confident that this is the correct decision as far as the health of our players and their families is concerned."

" We will return stronger than ever in 2021."