THIS year's Bathurst Netball Association A grade competition, which gets underway this Saturday, might be down on team numbers but the standard is still expected to be high.
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Collegians Mystified, Panthers, Bulldogs Verdelho, Panthers Agriwest and Panthers Toshacks will make up the reduced competition in 2020 after COVID-19 made an impact on player numbers.
But all four of last year's finals sides have made their return and BNA president Tina Muller said that should still make for an entertaining competition.
"We had to work out how to fit five A grade teams into the season so we released their draw to give them a heads up that we had to get another three games in," she said.
"We discussed whether we were going to push a couple of the A reserve teams up into A grade this year but that's looking like quite a strong competition as it is, and they're all of a similar ability.
"It's a flow on effect for all the grades below if we start pushing teams up. The five teams that we've got are all solid A grade teams so we're really happy with those teams continuing there."
The draw contains a hectic weekend of play over August 1 and 2 where three matches are scheduled, in order to fit the season within the seven week time frame.
It would lead to a Sunday double header as the draw stands, though Muller said teams are working to accommodate those games at friendlier time slots.
"The A grade coaches have been fabulous," Muller said.
"They've been really accepting with trying to get the other three games in. If teams agree to it they can play those games at another time. They've helped out so much on that end.
"In the end, everyone just wants to get out there and play netball and they've been very willing to work with us and do what it takes to get things done."
The season will run over 10 rounds, with the minor premiers earning a trip straight through to the grand final.
The second and third placed sides will fight it out in a preliminary final for the remaining spot in the decider.
The grand final is scheduled for September 20.
Draws for the other grades will be released through the week.
A concern which looms not only for the BNA but for other Bathurst sporting associations is further COVID-19 restrictions on spectators.
The association have currently constructed their draw around the existing 500 person-per-venue limit but if that number comes down then the competition could require a major shake up.
"At the 500 limit we were just scraping through but at 300 that's going to be a problem for us," Muller said.
"We're putting in a one spectator per player rule and having nine games played in each time slot which got us well within the numbers, and gave us room with the changeover between games with people coming and going."
As it stands the A grade competition will get underway this Saturday with Panthers playing Bulldogs Verdelho and defending champions Collegians playing Panthers Toshacks.
Both matches get underway from 1.15pm on courts one and two.
Panthers Agriwest have the round one bye.