SENIOR and junior football will return this year, with the Barossa, Light & Gawler Football Association (BL&GFA) voting to go ahead with its 2020 season while other local leagues shut-up shop.

Junior football will be played in the  in 2020, according to league president Mick Brien, who said, “whatever (the format) is, we’ll get something in”.

As previously covered in The Bunyip, clubs had spoken of their concerns about potentially losing players to the game if they were forced to sit out an entire season while other sports resumed their seasons.

Brien was non-committal to what type of junior footy would take place, as it is an issue that will be discussed with clubs, and after a decision has been made on the senior season.

“There will be junior football. We’re going to get (the organisation of the senior competitions) out of the way first, but we intend to get junior football in,” he said.

“It might not be until the end of July, or August, and we don’t know what grades yet, because we have a lot to get through first… whether it’s a carnival, or a round-robin – whatever it is, we’ll get something in.”

Gawler Central Football Club’s junior football co-ordinator Rebecca Iredale said at this point the concerns aren’t just about losing kids to different sports, but also other clubs.

“Some parents have asked me if the BLG season is called off, if they are able to get permits so their kids can go play in another association,” she said.

“They say, ‘it’s only going to be for one year’, but how do you know that you’re going to get them back at all?”

Late on Tuesday night, the league met with its clubs for a pivotal meeting, where a decision was made to kick-start the senior season on Saturday, July 18.

Clubs were given the option to postpone their official decision on the season until June 30 in hopes of further easing of restrictions, but instead committed to the July start date.

The league will play a revised nine-round season culminating in a two week, three team finals series.

Grand final day is scheduled for Saturday, September 26.

In a statement on Tuesday night, the league thanked the clubs and local umpires.

"We look forward to working with the clubs to re-engage as many of our community as possible back into football, whilst ensuring compliance with all of the COVID safe directions," the statement read.

"The board would like to thank the presidents and committee members of all nine clubs and the BL&G Umpires Association for their ongoing work and commitment during this very challenging time."