Open the gates: South West Football League allowed spectators at opening rounds after bizarre backflip

The South West Football League has confirmed its season will begin as planned and with spectators after an extraordinary backflip which will see fans allowed into grounds. The League received an exemption late on Friday to allow 500 spectators to attend each venue across the opening rounds, despite level two restrictions banning crowds from community sport. The South Western Times reported on Wednesday that no crowds would be allowed at grounds, except for parents and guardians of players. SWFL general manager Jason Crowe has also revealed Saturday’s opening games were no certainty to go ahead, with the fate of round one pending a delegate vote at Monday night’s executive meeting. But the change in rules will mean the round goes ahead. “To say I was happy was an understatement,” Crowe said. “Five hundred people is a sizable number and the number we initially were told we could have.” The exemption will last until level two public health measures are abolished and is relevant two hours either side of play. Round one begins on Saturday, with Augusta-Margaret River’s clash with Busselton at Gloucester Park set to headline the opening weekend.