As the COVID-19 situation continues to escalate, Netball NSW is updating its guidance which was originally issued on Monday 16 March 2020, consistent with the changing Government advice and recommendations.
Community Netball Activity
From today the Federal and State Governments have put in place new, more stringent rules around activities which can and can’t take place. One of those is the closing of all indoor sporting facilities. This includes Netball Central, which is closed from midday Monday 23 March 2020 until further notice.
Netball NSW is of the view that all netball activity must now cease. This includes all levels, from Club to Premier League. In order to ensure that the netball community is acting with the highest level of social responsibility, there is no other option than to adhere to the health advice.
Accordingly, Netball NSW provides guidance to all Clubs and Associations to stop all formal netball activity from this point forward until such time as the Government restrictions are modified to allow those activities to occur. This includes all types of training and all gatherings of players and umpires.
Netball NSW has also ceased all Emerging Talent and Academy programs until further notice in line with this direction and today’s announcement on the postponement of the Suncorp Super Netball and Deakin University Australian Netball League competitions.
Netball NSW Update
Netball NSW has committed to providing a detailed update to the netball community on Wednesday 15 April 2020 (the Wednesday after Easter). This remains the case, however should circumstances warrant, earlier updates may be provided. Until that update and any further advice, once again, all netball activity must cease.
There is absolutely nothing more important than the health and well-being of our netball family. Please do everything that you can to look after yourselves and each other, and to help slow the spread of COVID-19 across our wider community by following the social distancing advice, travel restrictions, hygiene practices and other measures in place.
This is a time for us all to work together to sustain our sport as best we can, and Netball NSW will continue to do everything we can to support netball across New South Wales at all levels. Your continued support will also be vital as we rise to meet the challenges that lay ahead, and we thank you.
You would all appreciate the level of detailed planning that is already progressing with Government and other key stakeholders to navigate the constantly shifting and complex operational, financial and other COVID-19 impacts for netball from our grassroots to elite levels. Those effects are unprecedented and we know will be significant for our organisation, but our Netball NSW Board and staff will continue to manage them in a measured and collaborative way.
Netballers are a great team who band together when things get tough. Be assured that Netball NSW will continue to act promptly and decisively to achieve the best outcome that we can for our netball community in these challenging times.
There may be difficult choices to come but we will keep you updated as regularly as possible. We ask that you also keep in contact with us with any updates or to request any assistance you may require.
- Louise Sullivan (President of Netball NSW), Carolyn Campbell (CEO of Netball NSW)
