The COVID-19 situation is having an unprecedented impact on our community and is changing rapidly. Netball ACT has been working closely with Netball Australia, the other state and territory netball Member Organisations, and government health and sporting agencies around COVID-19 and its impact on the netball community. The health and well-being of our entire netball community is paramount and the potential impact on our people will continue to be at the forefront of any decision made or advice provided.
To assist with infection control and based on all current medical advice available and current government guidelines and instructions, Netball ACT will, with immediate effect, suspend all community netball competitions, programs and activities in the ACT. This suspension will be in force until 1 May 2020.
A formal update will be provided on Wednesday 15 April, 2020 (the Wednesday after Easter). This update will include the latest information on competition start dates plus advice on recommencing training etc. As the NACT Board and Management will be reviewing and assessing the COVID-19 situation on a daily basis, if the situation is to change significantly, an update will be provided earlier.
The suspension of netball activities in the ACT includes, matches & playing, training, grading, umpire & coach training and extends to all levels of Netball in the ACT including social competitions, district competitions including junior championships, state league and school-related netball programs.
Netball ACT elite programs, The Capital Spirit, Capital Darters and ACTAS scholarship athletes, will continue training, until further clarification is provided from Netball NSW and Netball Australia as to the commencement of the relevant competitions in which each team are scheduled to play.
At this stage, the Netball ACT office will remain open and fully staffed. Should this situation change we will communicate further with you.
Clearly, these circumstances are unprecedented. While this is obviously an unfortunate disruption to the netball season, Netball ACT believes that a blanket guidance such as this leaves all associations, clubs, players, coaches, officials and administrators in the territory and region in the same position while we watch developments around COVID-19. The ACT Netball community is very strong and we encourage everybody to support each other through what are uncertain times.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can provide any further advice or clarification.
Louise Bilston
Netball ACT President
