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Noting that the fitness industry in Victoria has been “absolutely decimated during COVID lockdowns”, Tim Schleiger, spokesperson for VIC Active, has suggested that, for mutual benefit, AFL clubs and players make use of member gyms in the off season.

In a statement aimed at all stakeholders in AFL in Victoria, Schleiger explains “COVID-19 has obviously bought many challenges to the AFL industry - from the AFL enforced soft cap, keeping players on the park both physically and mentally, to hubs, no crowds, very little pathway or second tier football in Victoria, etc.

“This year, AFL Players will not be able to join their local gyms on a short-term membership to work out. Gyms are closed for the foreseeable future and players listed with interstate clubs will have trouble getting access to facilities.

“I see a ‘win-win’ here where gym owners who are part of the VIC Active advocacy group (could) to offer their gyms to AFL players in the off season. This will provide the athlete with a professional base and at the same time extend a lifeline to gym owners to help get their facilitates open for a few hours a day.

“Under the current COVID lockdown directions professional athletes can still attend a fitness centre or gym.”

Encouraging AFL clubs and players clubs to make use of VIC Active member gyms, Schleiger references official wording from the Victorian Government’s Coronavirus website which reads as follows:

Sports, exercise and physical reaction FAQs
Is training for professional sport allowed under current restrictions?
Yes, training for professional sport is allowed but only people who are necessary for the conduct of the training are permitted to attend.

Who is included as a professional or high-performance sportsperson?
A professional sportsperson means a person who meets one or more of the following criteria:

• Performs their sporting activity in an open-aged national or international competition (at the highest level as identified by the recognised national body)
• Employed to perform that sporting activity as their primary source of income (that is, employed by a professional club or recognised national body)
• Holds a National Institute Network Scholarship or equivalent level national categorised athlete.

Schleiger added “there has never been a time for industries join together and help each other out so the community benefits.”

250 gyms around Victoria fall under the VIC Active banner.

Contact Tim Schleiger at VIC Active on email team@vicactive.org to access gyms for players.

Image: Former Sydney Swans star Alex Johnson operates Infinite Cycle studios in the Melbourne suburbs of  Armadale and Brighton (top) and Tim Schleiger (below).

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