THERE will be restrictions, but Bathurst Bushrangers will be able to "reconnect with their passion" now the green light has been given to resume training.
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On Thursday evening AFL NSW/ACT gave approval for community clubs such as the Bushrangers and its AFL Central West counterparts to resume small group training.
It will be for a maximum of 10 participants, physical contact is not permitted and social distancing of at least 1.5 metres must be maintained at all times.
There are other measures clubs must adhere to as well, but Bushrangers president Alex Sparks was still delighted with the news.
"Just being able to get together, it's going to help everyone's well-being and I think that is one of the most important things," he said.
"All we've wanted throughout this whole thing is to get back, even if it was 10 people in a line kicking a ball 15 metres you'd still do it because you'd have some form of interaction."
While all clubs have been have been provided with a framework to return to training, and been advised on what is and is not permitted, they still need to finalise their own logistics and educate players on the guidelines.
As such the Bushrangers' coaching staff were set to convene on Sunday night, attend a CWAFL meeting on Monday then Sparks and his fellow committee members will hold discussions on Wednesday as part of that process.
"It's so important we respect the rules and restrictions we have, because they are there for a reason. We need to make sure we are doing the right thing," Sparks said.
"If we do things right now, the sooner we get on the paddock."
A resumption of training, albeit with restrictions, is an important step towards the start of a 2020 season. As of yet Spark is unsure what format that will take, but for him the most important thing is being able to play.
"We just want to get back into it, no-one gets paid out here, the reason we do it is because we like doing it," he said.
"It's about getting people to reconnect with their passion and being out there kicking a football and having a bit of fun. Whatever format comes will we support that, because we know the decisions will come for the right reasons."
Prior to the coronavirus shut down, the Bushrangers had planned to field three senior men's teams, a women's side and an under 17s outfit in AFLCW competitions.
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While that may have to be altered depending on the number of players able to commit once a return to play is approved, Sparks said it is still very much the target for Bushrangers.
"We're fully committed to honouring every one of our team nominations," he said.
"I want to get that, I am 100 percent committed. We had so much amazing momentum going into the season, but obviously we had a really good influx of uni students to our club this year and given they're not on campus and study has moved online, things could be really difficult."