On behalf of the Netball Queensland Board, I am writing to provide an update on the unfolding COVID-19 situation following the Board meeting this morning. The Board and Management reviewed the latest information, the risks, mitigation strategies and ultimately, our role in helping to contain the spread of COVID-19.
I want to reinforce this is an extraordinary situation, requiring us to make decisions within a volatile, uncertain and rapidly changing environment. We understand individuals will hold a range of different views around COVID-19, however, as an organisation we must take appropriate steps to protect the health and wellbeing of our staff, members, volunteers, fans and stakeholders.
Review of Actions to Date
- On Friday 13 March, Netball Queensland, Queensland Firebirds and the Sunshine Coast Lightning issued a statement signalling our joint position on COVID-19 and foreshadowing events may need to be cancelled as the situation unfolds and medical advice changes. See the release here.
- Netball Queensland issued an update for Members, containing advice and links to further information around community netball events. See the update here.
- On Friday 13 March, Netball Queensland announced the cancellation of our Queensland Firebirds Official Launch and the Queensland Firebirds Fan Day. Whilst hugely disappointing, the health and safety of our community is paramount. Notification went out on social media as well as directly to Queensland Firebirds members and partners.
- Netball Queensland developed template materials to support Member Associations and Clubs establish a process for managing decision-making and communications. The templates are available here.
- The Suncorp Super Netball Commission announced the cancellation of the SSN Preseason Team Girls Cup event scheduled for 26-29 March. See release here.
- Netball Australia announced the cancellation of the 17&U and 19&U National Netball Championships due to take place in Hobart from 18-23 April. See release here.
- Netball Australia advised Member Organisations that the April Members Forum is cancelled, and the Netball Australia AGM will take place on a digital platform.
Update on Further Actions
As a result of the Netball Queensland Board meeting this morning, I wish to advise of the following decisions:
- NQ Coaches Lunch – 20 March
- The Coaches Lunch scheduled for this Friday 20 March, has been postponed until further notice.
- 2020 Leaders Conference
- The 2020 Leaders Conference will not take place this weekend. It has been postponed until the weekend of 31 October-1 November 2020. The venue will remain the Pullman Hotel in Brisbane.
- Flights: please contact your airline or travel agent for the most up to date information on credits or cancellation policies. The travel industry has been hit very hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Airlines will have specific information and processes in place. If you need help or require information, please send an email to events@netballq.org.au.
- Accommodation booked at the Pullman: for anyone who has booked accommodation at the Pullman Hotel can you please send us the details at events@netballq.org.au so we can assist you to get these transferred to October.
- Accommodation booked elsewhere: please contact your hotel and see what their position is on the impact of COVID-19 in terms of reallocating bookings, credits or refunds.
- 2020 Leaders Conference - Biome Workshops
- The Biome Workshops which were to be held during the Leaders Conference will take place online using collaborative digital platforms. More information on these online workshops will be published later this week.
- The online workshops will have question functionality so you will be able to post questions during the workshops but feel free to send them through in advance to help our planning.
- Netball Queensland 2020 AGM
- The 2020 AGM will now be held via a livestreaming platform. Our constitution provides for the use of technology to conduct meetings.
- We request that questions on the financial accounts be sent in by 12pm Friday 20 March so that these can be answered at the meeting.
- 2020 NQ Awards
- Award Winners will be announced next week using online platforms.
- Public recognition of our Award winners (in front of our community) will take place at the postponed Leaders Conference later in the year.
Moving Forward
We will be issuing further updates as and when we receive advice from authorities, and when decisions and details are confirmed. We are also coordinating with Netball Australia and all the Member Organisations across Australia regularly. Our Exec Team is meeting daily to constantly review the latest information and instructions from authorities.
We are working through additional decisions relating to our venue, business continuity, events and our work environment. As with almost every workplace and business, we are experiencing significant disruption due to the impacts of this global pandemic. The impacts are diverse and far reaching. We are feeling for everyone who has been impacted and those that are feeling anxious about what lies ahead. We will do our best to provide you with support and assistance. I ask for your understanding and cooperation as we navigate our way through this unprecedented health crisis.
We have general information on our website. We have downloadable support materials on our website. Additionally, we are reaching out to every Association over the next 24 hours. Our Delivery Network Leads will be contacting you to check in and see if we can help. If you aren’t sure who to contact, send us an email at helpline@netballq.org.au.
Be safe,
Catherine Clark - Chief Executive Officer
Netball Queensland
