BY SARAH ARTURI

After suspending all training and competition during Victoria’s most recent lockdown, there is finally hope on the horizon for owners and patrons of indoor sport facilities.

The Victorian Government’s announcement on October 26 provided much-needed clarity, with indoor sport facilities now set to reopen on November 9.

Indoor non-contact physical recreation for under 18s will be able to resume with a maximum of 20 people in any facility, with indoor fitness and fitness classes for adults also set to resume with density limits. 

For Futsal Oz founder and CEO Peter Parthimos, the easing of some restrictions provided a long-awaited framework for the reopening of his indoor soccer stadiums, which were forced to shut their doors to the public in March.  

“Of course it’s not the answer we were hoping for because we are an indoor sport that involves competition and contact, so for us, there is really no difference,” Mr Parthimos said. 

“We’re only allowed one-on-one training, which is a small portion of what our business at Futsal Oz is known for.”

However, Mr Parthimos said the brand remains “optimistic” it will bounce back from the hardships it endured during stage four lockdown, before indoor sport was provided with a reopening roadmap. 

After 15 years in operation, Mr Parthimos made the decision to close his three stadiums in Thomastown, Brunswick and Mt Evelyn when on-going costs and property expenses led him to rely on insufficient federal government support. 

“The Federal Government’s blanket ruling meant that businesses have to pay 50 per cent of rent to landlords upon reopening, which is okay if you’re still trading during lockdown,” Mr Parthimos said.

“A different approach was needed for businesses which have been 100 per cent affected because, essentially, a blanket approach has put [business owners] who can’t afford their expenses against the landlords, creating a divide-and-conquer environment.”

VicHealth recently redesigned its health grants and now offers funding to local organisations who provide young people with “opportunities for physical activity”. However, these grants came too late to save the Futsal Oz brand. 

City of Moreland councillor Mark Riley said financial assistance at a municipal level is continuing to be developed, but demand for other COVID-19 grants have caused a major strain on council budgeting. 

“Getting the three levels of government to work together – local, state and federal – to manage financial and other support to clubs and sporting groups is probably the most significant way the council could work to assist in the recovery period,” Cr Riley said. 

Mr Parthimos’ daughter, Evangelia Parthimos, created a petition soon after the Futsal Oz stadiums’ closure was announced. 

It called upon the Minister for Sport, Martin Pakula, and Minister for Community Sport, Ros Spence, to provide a roadmap on the reopening of indoor community sport. 

The petition has since received nearly 2500 signatures. Mr Parthimos believes the community outcry made government officials aware many business owners and patrons needed hope their beloved sports would make a full return. 

Ariane McLeod has played with Futsal Oz in previous years and said their stadiums provided a home for many avid soccer players across the state. 

“Being mostly an outdoor soccer player, Futsal Oz stadiums provided a more technical and fast-paced game,” Ms McLeod said. 

“The ability to play a team sport positively impacts my physical and mental health, but also provides that added social benefit, which throughout the pandemic has been challenging to find.” 

Although Futsal Oz still has a long way to go to get back on its feet, Mr Parthimos said the new approach by the government meant the closure of his stadiums is not definitive and there is “light at the end of the tunnel”. 

“As far as the restrictions allow us to go, we will continue to run futsal classes as best we can, even if it is held at basketball courts or pay-as-you-go hirers, until we can start to see a consistent period where indoor sport competitions are played without lockdown breaks,” he said. 

“We don’t just take our ball and walk away that easily – we will remain positive for our community until there is even more clarity provided.”

Deputy Premier James Merlino announced a $45.2 million scheme on Sunday, which would provide 100,000 Victorian children with the benefit of $200 vouchers to purchase sport uniforms and pay memberships.

“It is critically important that we get kids out and active, get them back engaged in sport, back engaged with their community clubs,” Mr Merlino said.