Warrnambool Rangers junior players are thrilled to be back on the pitch.
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The under 17 side was due to face Ballarat White Soccer Club in the second round of the Ballarat and District Soccer Association on Sunday.
But Ballarat White forfeited the game and the Rangers played a scratch match among themselves at Jones Oval in Warrnambool.
Captain Noel Reid, 16, said the COVID-19-enforced break had strengthened his love for the game.
"If anything, I'd say it's made me love it more," he said.
"Just staying away from it, I realise how much I love it."
He's stoked with how his side has started the season.
"I'm obviously very proud of our boys and we did pretty well the first week," he said.
"I think it's important to get as much positivity out there as we can and really get confidence into the boys."
His teammate Elijah O'Grady was pumped to be passing the ball around for a second week.
O'Grady has enjoyed junior soccer's return this past fortnight.
"It was so good to get back out there, everyone enjoyed it, everyone played really well," he said.
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O'Grady kept up his skills during the break.
"I was just going out for kicks with my mates, keeping up our fitness as much as we could," he said.
"Getting back to training as soon as we could and abiding by all the restrictions."
The Rangers under 17 side lost its first match of the season.
Meanwhile, the South West Victorian Football Association has decided not to alter its junior age groups.
It was considering changing its top-age (under 16) competition to allow more players between 16 and 19 years to play.
SWVFA secretary Ollie Hodson said play down requests (for those older than under 16) will be considered case-by-case.
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