Less than two weeks remain until football returns to the Illawarra.
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Players last took to the field in March, with COVID-19 forcing the sport into shutdown, and Football South Coast has revealed framework for the competition's resumption next month.
Senior men's players will return to the field on the first weekend in July for a three-week Bert Bampton Cup, or a season pre-season, before the Premier League season gets under way. There will also be a three-week Youth Cup competition.
Corrimal coach Rob Jonovski said it was a great way to re-start the competition.
"I've got to commend Football South Coast for having a plan in place. They obviously did a bit of groundwork and as soon as that restriction was lifted in regards to when senior football could be played again, Football South Coast went bang, here's what we're doing," he said.
"It's fantastic to have Bert Bampton Cup games. They are a competitive game, they've got a different edge to a friendly game in the pre-season. I think it's a great idea whereas you look at Football NSW, they have no plan in place. So credit to Football South Coast, they've put that in place."
FSC chief executive officer Ann-Marie Balliana said they were also "very close" to finalising plans for the women's and junior seasons, which kick off on July 4.
"We have some meetings planned with the junior and women's clubs to get their final views on what we're proposing," Balliana said.
"We'll be ready to release something, along with the draws, hopefully at some stage this week."
It's fantastic to have Bert Bampton Cup games. They are a competitive game, they've got a different edge to a friendly game in the pre-season.
- Rob Jonovski
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