Victorian community football and netball clubs hoping they're coming out the other side of horror COVID-19 period

Sick of uncertainty, reigning Warrnambool and District Football Netball League premier Kolora-Noorat just wants to know if it can belatedly defend its title.

The last grand final was 2019.

«The past two years there's been no reward, no closure,» new club president Martin Wynd told ABC Sport.

«Whether you win or lose, you want to know whether you're good enough.»

There is excitement and trepidation within Victorian clubs like Kolora-Noorat preparing for season 2022.

No-one can accurately read the pulse of the game after two years of interrupted, incomplete competitions at country, suburban, amateur and under-age level.

Umpire shortages and volunteer stress are widespread.

The Buchan Football Netball Club says its members have pretty much lost hope of playing finals for a second straight year as Country Victoria locks down again.

Participation rates, the best indicators of sporting success, will be studied for trends.

Junior registration opened this week and Wynd is among many concerned about tired volunteer committee members.

«It's taken its toll,» he said.

«Last year it felt like you were getting kicked while you're down.»

Australian football's birthplace was cruelled by multiple lockdowns in 2020 and 2021.

The uncertainty of training for games that did not eventuate and having finals cancelled at the last minute was exhausting for everyone involved.

This led to fears that some players would be fed up and give the game away.

Mr Wynd said numbers throughout preseason had been «pretty good», even though some of the amateur athletes from the region have «found other interests».

Finding netball coaches was difficult, but now all roles have been filled and players are keen.

«I think they've found that coming to training makes them realise