To our Netball Queensland Community,
As you will have noted in our most recent COVID-19 update, the Department of Sport and Recreation has confirmed that the resumption of organised sporting activity, inclusive of community netball, is not included in stage 1 of the roadmap to easing restrictions in Queensland. The Department is conscious of the risks involved in sporting groups gathering at this early stage and has been clear they do not wish for the sporting industry to be the cause of any COVID-19 outbreaks in our community.
The direction from the Department of Sport and Recreation is that organised sporting activity is earmarked to resume as part of stage 2, scheduled to commence on June 12. Training in groups will be permitted at this stage, with the resumption of competition and games to come at a later date, most likely in Stage 3.
It is important for our member associations and their clubs to note that there should be no training or playing of any kind throughout stage 1 of the easing of restrictions. The Department of Sport and Recreation have reiterated this would be considered a breach of the current rules, and every indication has been given that any breach could be subject to the relevant fines, both for the individuals ($1,334) and potentially the venue ($5,000).
Members may also have seen the release of Netball Australia’s Community Guidelines earlier today. While these are a useful guide, ultimately the rules and regulations Netball Queensland and its members must satisfy will be set by Queensland Health, in conjunction with the Department of Sport and Recreation. We are expecting to receive these in the coming days and will provide a further update once we fully understand what is required to meet this set of standards with ample time for you to prepare.
Like you, we are eager to see netball back on our courts as soon as possible. In order to achieve this, we must adhere to the health advice we are currently receiving. If we continue to work together as a community and remain #NetballUnited, as we have done since the beginning of the restrictions, we greatly increase our chances of returning to the courts without any further setbacks. We are incredibly proud of how our community has come together in this crisis and risen to the challenge. We have no doubt you will continue in this fashion with our return to the courts in sight.
Thank you again for your continued support.
Yours in netball,
Ben Mannion
A/ Chief Executive Officer
