Dear Victory family,
I want to provide you with an update on how our Club is handling the COVID-19 pandemic.
We are dealing with a crisis unprecedented in our lifetime and it is evolving fast. This will have far reaching consequences and we expect there will be many challenges ahead, but as a Club we will face them together as they arise.
As you would appreciate the measures to stem the spread of the virus are changing daily, but every decision we make is to help protect the health and safety of our players, staff, members, fans and the broader community.
Our Club, led by CEO, Trent Jacobs, Executive and administration are working tirelessly to make sure we deal with the challenges at hand while making sure our day-to-day operations run as smoothly as possible in the current landscape.
The Club has a coordinated approach and is remaining in constant contact with Football Federation Australia as well as the appropriate departments of the State and Federal Governments and health services.
With respect to current issues at hand, I want to start with our men’s team. The situation they currently find themselves in highlights the changing landscape COVID-19 is presenting for our governments and health authorities.
Prior to the team’s departure last Friday, we sought assurances there would be no issues for the team to travel to and from New Zealand. Less than 48 hours later, that advice had changed due to the dynamic situation.
The squad is currently en-route home from Wellington and will arrive back in Melbourne this evening. In line with the current government protocols for citizens returning to Australia from overseas, the team will commence a self-isolation period of 14 days to help stem any potential spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The Club takes the health and safety of its players and staff seriously and we are currently working through ways to help support them through this period. We are also working with the FFA on rescheduling our Round 24 and 25 Hyundai A-League fixtures which have been directly impacted by the self-isolation period.
The Club will provide an update, once a decision has been reached on the rescheduling of these fixtures.
Following the Federal Government’s decision to cease mass gatherings from Monday, the remainder of our 2019/20 season will be played behind closed doors.
While our team loves to play in front of the most passionate members and supporters in the country, playing behind closed doors is a necessary measure and this will be the case until we receive further notice.
We ask for your patience and support as we work through the necessary next steps with respect to a range of matters including the impact this will have on memberships and other offerings at our match days.
To anyone that has pre-purchased tickets for our remaining games, refunds will be made available from point of purchase. Ticketek will be in contact directly with the ticket purchasers to arrange.
We have also made decisions to postpone some corporate events and a range of community programs, clinics and appearances until further notice. Those involved will be contacted.
While the Club and stadiums will be closed to the public, we encourage everyone to stay connected with us across our communications channels including the website, mobile app and social media accounts.
To our members, partners and fans, you have supported us through this tough season, which has just become tougher, and we thank you sincerely.
I want to make mention of our Westfield W-League team, who have had another good season, but unfortunately couldn’t make it through to the Grand Final, after a 1-0 loss to Sydney FC on the weekend.
Well done to Head Coach Jeff Hopkins, Captain Natasha Dowie and all of our players and staff for how they have all performed throughout the 2019/20 season.
At Melbourne Victory, together, we will come back like we have always done. On behalf of everyone at our Club, please take care of yourselves and those around you.
Anthony Di Pietro
Chairman
