NTFA footy to start on Saturday
• New Scottsdale players at training last week (left): Mitch Bennett, Daniel Berry, Liam Chorley, Lochie Cox, Ethan Petterwood, James Conroy and Jonty Saville.
After a three month hiatus, NTFA football will resume on Saturday with the commencement of the Boags St George Shield roster.
While not all clubs have chosen to participate, Scottsdale has entered teams in all grades - seniors, women and Under 21s, and club president Cameron Moore said the players were raring to go.
"Since it emerged a fortnight ago that we would get a footy season, our players have committed and intensity at training has increased significantly," he said.
On Saturday the senior men's team travels to Rocherlea for the season opener starting at 1.30pm, and the women's team will meet Old Launcestonians at Invermay Park at 11.55am. The Under 21s have a bye.
The senior team under new coach Ethan Petterwood will include some new faces after the signing of seven players from clubs not participating in the roster, and decisions made by a number of current players to have a year off.
It is understood that a number of experienced Rocherlea players have also decided not to play this season or have opted to join TSL clubs.
Participating clubs have agreed that there will be no player payments this season, and public health regulations will prohibit spectators from entering changerooms or the playing arena during quarter time, half time and three-quarter time breaks.
Crowds will be limited to 500 and they will have to abide by social distancing guidelines.
"Covid-19 will obviously necessitate some changes in the way we operate, but the club is confident that our supporters will adapt. But they can now come out on Saturday and get their dose of local footy," Cameron Moore said.
The roster for Scottsdale teams is as follows:
JULY 18
Seniors v Rocherlea at Rocherlea (1.30pm)
Women v OLs at Invermay Park (11.55am)
JULY 25
Under 21s v Deloraine at NTCA (11.35am)
Women v Meander Valley at Westbury (11.55am)
AUGUST 1
Seniors v Old Scotch at Scottsdale (2.00pm)
Under 21s v George Town at Scottsdale (12.05pm)
Women v Bridgenorth at Scottsdale (10.30am)
AUGUST 8
Seniors v UTAS at UTAS Mowbray (1.30pm)
Under 21s v Bridgenorth at Westbury (12.05pm)
Women v OLs at UTAS Mowbray (11.55am)
AUGUST 15
Seniors v Bracknell at Bracknell (1.30pm)
Under 21s v Bracknell at Bracknell (11.35am)
Women v Meander Valley at Westbury (11.55am)
AUGUST 22
Seniors v Meander Valley at Scottsdale (1.30pm)
Women v Meander Valley at Scottsdale (11.55am)
AUGUST 29
Seniors v Deloraine at Scottsdale (6.00pm)
Under 21s v Deloraine at Scottsdale (4.05pm)
Women v Bridgenorth at NTCA (11.55am)
SEPTEMBER 5
Seniors v OLs at Scottsdale (6.00pm)
Under 21s v George Town at UTAS Mowbray (11.35am)
Women v OLs at Scottsdale (4.25pm)
SEPTEMBER 12
Seniors v Bridgenorth at Bridgenorth (2.00pm)
Under 21s v Bridgenorth at Bridgenorth (12.05pm)
Women v Bridgenorth at Bridgenorth (10.30am)