Good Friday ‘failure’

Erin Pearson
DIRECTORS have rejected a controversial bid for Torquay to host Victoria Football League’s first Good Friday match.
VFL football operations manager John Hook told the Independent the league’s board “wasn’t ready” to sign-off on Good Friday matches.
“It’s not because it’s a religious thing, they just didn’t feel comfortable with it at this stage,” Mr Hook said.
“The board didn’t have any problems with matches being played in Torquay on the Saturday or Sunday over the Easter Weekend they just weren’t settled on the Good Friday match.”
The Independent revealed in July that Williamstown Football Club had applied to play a match in Torquay against Geelong next Good Friday.
Williamstown wanted to play at Spring Creek Reserve because its home ground would be undergoing upgrade works in April.
Catholic parish priest Reverend Linh Tran objected to the proposal, saying Good Friday should be “left alone” as a sacred date on the Christian calendar.
However, Mr Hook said Williamstown was still “trying to keep the door open”.
“The club was obviously disappointed with the outcome and has written to the chief executive officer asking whether it can present a case to the board along with the Geelong region and the Torquay Football Club to show the benefits,” he said.
“Williamstown is still trying to evoke a change of thought.”
Torquay Commerce and Tourism Association president Martin Duke said he was pleased with the VFL board’s decision.
“I think it’s great,” he said.
“As much as we like to support our local football club, it’s just one of those days – it’s a no-go.
“There are couple of times a year when you just don’t do these things, such as Christmas and Good Friday, and I’m glad that’s been respected.”
Torquay Football Club President Ross Henderson said the club was unaware of the decision when the Independent contacted him.
He declined to comment further.