FOR months the ovals of Wagga have been dormant, the city's youngsters climbing the walls at home as coronavirus denies them the chance to do what they love most.
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But on Saturday the sporting landscape took its first step toward a return to normality when Football Wagga's juniors laced on the boots for the first time in 2020.
The soccer juniors were the first players from all of the football codes to return as July heralds the welcome return of community sport.
Football Wagga development officer Kyle Yeates admitted he feared a season wouldn't be able to get off the ground in the early stages of the shutdown.
He said it's vital officials did everything in their power to make it happen.
"When it was right in the middle of the pandemic and we were locked inside for a long time, I thought we'd be doing well to get a season from here," he said.
"But credit to the Football Wagga board, they got it up and running.
"It's good that we're back out there but the layoff was longer than anyone wanted. I headed out there on Saturday for a couple of games and it was really good, it was great to see the kids back and happy again."
Yeates said it would have been a shame had a year of development been wiped out for the juniors.
"It was very important to get it back this year for their development," he said.
"Obviously they're not improving if they can't play, but it's also about socialising and having fun. It's crucial to be back out there.
"I think South Wagga have their first-ever under-12 team which is pretty exciting."
Parent and Wagga City Wanderers men's first grade coach Michael Babic said it was relief to get his kids back to their normal routine.
"It's good to have them back running around like a normal Saturday morning," he said.
"That's how Saturday mornings should be, it's good to have that sense of normality back and it was nice setting the goals up again.
"It was good to have the family time, but for kids growing up it's all about their mates and getting to play as a team."
Mini Roos kick off on Saturday, July 18.
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