Narrabri FC hits the ground running at first pre-season training session since March

Local soccer club Narrabri FC was back at Hogan Oval on Tuesday night where pre-season training for a hopeful 2020 Namoi Soccer League campaign resumed.

The reigning minor premiers welcomed eight players who were put through their paces on a cold Narrabri night by returning coach Neil Brayshaw.

Brayshaw will coach the team for a third season in 2020.

At their first pre-season session since early March, before all soccer activity was suspended amid the COVID-19 pandemic, players were required to adhere to strict guidelines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic which included participating in non-contact activities such as fitness and passing drills.

The 2020 Namoi Soccer League season could begin as early as Saturday, July 4, following a competition meeting run by Northern Inland Football last week.

With Moree likely to only field one side this year, Wee Waa re-entering its one team and two Narrabri teams competing, the competition will most likely include four teams.

The competition has been planned to be contested across 12 weeks, where each team plays the other three teams four times each – twice at home and twice away.

A two-week finals series has also been discussed with a September 26 grand final to round out the season.

However the July 4 start date will only be possible if the NSW Government gives the green light for adult community sport to return to play on or before that date.

It was announced on Tuesday that junior sporting competitions can begin from Wednesday, July 1, but a decision on a potential return date for adult community sport will be made at a later stage.