In the last two weeks, Queensland has recorded many days with 0 new cases of COVID-19. Following this positive sign that we are slowing the spread of this virus, some restrictions will be eased in Queensland from this weekend. While many of us may have just found our new groove, this week saw confidence in efforts to flatten the curve of COVID-19 transmission reach a point where restrictions were eased.
Social distancing still applies, but we have a green light for some recreational activities and extended the distance you can travel from home.
From Saturday, May 2, you can:
- Go for a drive (within 50km of home)
- Ride a motorbike, jetski or boat for recreation
- Have a picnic
- Visit a national park
- Shop for non-essential items
Outings are limited to members of the same household or an individual and one friend. All rules regarding social gatherings and limits on visitors remain in place. The Premier advised that during this “test run”, numbers of new infections would be watched closely, and the measures reviewed after two weeks. At the first sign of a “spike” the Government will move to reintroduce restrictions.
This week was also important for sport specifically.
Recommencement of Netball – state of play as at 1 May
Since suspending our season in mid-March, Netball Queensland alongside Netball Australia and our colleagues from all States and Territories, has been working hard on scenario planning for this season, both for community netball and the Suncorp Super Netball competition. Yesterday was a positive step forward with the release of National Principles for Sport and Recreational Activity. These principles will now be considered by the various States and Territory governments.
National Cabinet considered and endorsed the National Principles for the Resumption of Sport and Recreation Activities, which was developed by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) in consultation with sporting bodies across Australia.
The Principles will help provide a pathway for a staged return of community and professional sport, without compromising the health of individuals or the community.
The staged return will commence with an initial phase of small group (less than 10 individuals) activities in a non-contact fashion, prior to moving on to a subsequent phase of large group (more than 10 individuals) activities including full contact training and competition in sport. The initial phase allows for the resumption of children’s outdoor sport with strict physical distancing measures for non-sporting attendees such as parents.
The Queensland Government will be responsible for sport and recreation resumption decisions, both at the professional and community level and will determine progression through the phases, taking account of local epidemiology, risk mitigation strategies and public health capability.
It is critical to remember that when considering how to resume sport, the regime underpinning the Framework is considered a minimum baseline standard required to be met before the resumption of training and match play.
National Cabinet also endorsed the AHPPC’s proposal to form a COVID-19 Sports and Health Committee to closely monitor and report on any COVID-19 related issues or developments in the sector during the resumption phase. The Committee will also consider any further and specific decisions about the resumption of sport – for a minimum of three months from commencement.
The Netball Queensland Board and management will meet on Tuesday 5 May to discuss our back to play planning in light of these National Principles, ensuring all steps meet the minimum baseline standard outlined in the Framework, as well as the requirements of the State Government. We will issue an update to members as soon as possible following this meeting.
I’d like to personally thank our netball community for the ongoing efforts in relation to slowing the spread of COVID-19. We should all be encouraged by the signs we’ve seen in recent weeks, and by the announcement from the National Cabinet about the pathway to a resumption of our great game. As I have continued to say throughout this pandemic, the only way we will come through this crisis is if we remain united, staying true to the sense of togetherness and team at the heart of our sport.
I have been inspired to see so many of you continue to train hard and remain connected with your teammates via our new App, which we launched on 26 March thanks to our partners at Inspire Sport Online. It clearly demonstrates that it will take more than a global health pandemic to dampen our love for this game. If you haven’t yet joined our community on the app it is still available for download via the app store and google play, and don’t forget to use the code ‘NETBALLQ’ when onboarding for FREE access.
While it may have been disrupted, once it resumes, I have a strong feeling season 2020 will be a special one. Adversity does not build character, it reveals it, and I am incredibly proud to say our netball community has it in spades.
There is a lot of information to absorb and guidelines we will need to comply with. So, rest assured, we will review the new principles released yesterday, and the directives from the State Government once they are published, with a view to providing advice on what this means to your local community, and what we need to do to comply, as soon as possible. I'll be in touch soon.
Yours in netball,
Catherine Clark
Netball Queensland CEO
