The Sudbury Spartans announced Monday that they have suspended football operations and officially taken a leave of absence from both their respective summer football leagues for 2020 schedule due to COVID-19 and these unprecedented times.
The Spartans informed the Northern Football Conference (NFC) and the Ontario Provincial Football League (OPFL) that they will not be participating in provincial level summer football programs for the remainder of the 2020 season, even if the province lifts the current social distancing restrictions and the leagues attempt to play a revised schedule this summer.
The Spartans were set to field Junior Varsity and Senior Varsity teams in the OPFL, while the men’s team was set to play in the NFC. Both leagues have suspended operations but have not yet made a final decision for summer football. They are expected to do so in the coming weeks.
“It’s unfortunate, but we needed to make the responsible decision to suspend Spartan football for the 2020 season,” said Spartans team president Gord Goddard.
“It’s obvious that the current pandemic is going to require a long period of social distancing. Even if the restrictions are lifted - taking our kids and men and traveling across the province to different cities and then coming back home makes very little sense. We will lead by example and do our part in the fight against COVID-19. We want our players and fans to enjoy their summers as best they can as they follow public health and the governments regulations and we will begin preparing for the return of Spartan football in 2021."
For players who have registered and paid players fees, the Spartans will begin issuing refunds over the next few weeks.
For more information, visit sudburyspartans.com or email [email protected].
