SOME south-west athletes are preparing to return from a two-week coronavirus-enforced break while others will be sidelined longer due to capping concerns.
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The state government announced an easing of restrictions in regional areas from midnight Thursday.
Outdoor sport for all ages has been given the green light as has indoor sport for both junior and senior competitors.
Sporting organisations were on Wednesday finalising their plans.
The Hampden Football Netball League decided on Tuesday it would resume its senior competitions if given the green light.
Warrnambool and District Football Netball League has given its clubs until 12pm on Thursday to pick one of three options. The board will then meet and make a decision.
There were concerns about a 150-person venue cap which needed clarification.
Warrnambool Rangers are open to playing on Sunday on what was a previously scheduled Ballarat and District Soccer Association bye round.
Club president Cam Pyke said the Rangers were awaiting direction from league officials but were happy to play.
"We'd be available. Last Sunday because we were able to do training for the men's and we actually did a training session to mimic our game-day routine," he said.
"I'd be pretty confident we'd be able to field and team and get on the park again."
The Big V season remains in limbo with indoor sport still on hold in metropolitan Melbourne where many of Warrnambool Seahawks and Mermaids' basketball rivals are based.
The Big V season remains in limbo with indoor sport still on hold in metropolitan Melbourne where many of Warrnambool Seahawks and Mermaids' rivals are based.
Warrnambool's new under 18 championship league will return on Friday night - if there is no netball on too - but domestic basketball competitions are on hold due to cap capacities.
Only 50 people are permitted per indoor venue including competitors.
Warrnambool Basketball development officer Michael McGorm said it was baffling.
"Before coaches and referees were excluded and now they're included," he said.
"It changes every time. You can't work out why they would change it because last time (the COVID-19 numbers) were worse and it was 50 per space and now it's 50 per total."
The region's domestic soccer league - the South West Victorian Football Association - was to meet on Wednesday night to make a decision on its senior fixtures.
SWVFA secretary Ollie Hodson said the league would keep an eye out for a return to play document from Football Victoria.
Warrnambool Golf Club, meanwhile, will return to full capacity on course.
Club manager Ashlee Scott said the resumption of competition play was also a boon for the Younger Street venue.
"That's fantastic as it's extra income for the club," Scott said.
"It's excellent for everyone's mental wellbeing to get back to the normal numbers."
Scott said the club would maintain COVID-safe standards, including implementing sanitiser stations on each hole.
She urged members to get behind new professional Trent Wieland, who started at the course a fortnight ago.
Under current restrictions, junior outdoor community sport could play while outdoor senior sport was only permitted to train. Indoor sport for all ages was off-limits.
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