Several comments were posted on Facebook on Wednesday that the shock announcement will lead to the demise of the future of the league.

However, Waters has vowed the competition will be back bigger and stronger next season.

"This decision is by no means the end of the Upper Murray, that's for sure," Waters said.

"Yes, it is a setback.

"But it's no fault of anybody that we were put in a position to make the tough call to abandon the season.

"It was just the COVID cards that we were dealt.

"We just have to cop it on the chin and come back bigger and better next season as a league.

"It was an emotional decision to make because everybody involved knows how much hard work goes on behind the scenes to keep clubs going.

"After the bushfires and then not having a season last year, the crowds this year were the best they have been for years which is a positive.

"It just shows how important sport is in these communities."

Waters said all the clubs wanted to forge ahead with the season but their hands were tied with the logistics of COVID-19 restrictions making it impossible to continue.

"Everybody wanted to keep the season going at the delegates meeting but the logistics made it impossible," Waters said.

"The Upper Murray League is about community.

"When the VCFL tried to shut us down this year we all fought the decision because the community needs local sport

"Yes this decision is another kick in the guts for the communities involved and at the moment there is a lot of doom and gloom surrounding the league.

"But this decision is by no way any fault of the administration of the Upper Murray League.

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"What's the point of having a finals series when crowds can't attend?

"In my opinion there were a lot of uneducated comments posted on Facebook that the administration made a premature decision.

"But I have no doubt it's the right call and we have to move on as quickly as possible and start preparing for next season."

The decision will no doubt have other leagues nervous that they could also suffer a similar fate.

A looming finals series without crowds would be a financial disaster hard to overcome.

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