11 JULY 2020
In line with the directions of Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton, the difficult but necessary decision has been made to halt the resumption of full-contact training and competition for people aged 19 and over in regional Victoria.
Full-contact training was scheduled to resume on Monday 13 July, with full-contact competition set to return on 20 July.
However, with a significant increase in coronavirus cases in Melbourne, and active cases in a number of many regional communities, the Chief Health Officer has determined that community sport in regional Victoria must remain non-contact.
This decision will be tough for many regional Victorian clubs and communities and it was not taken lightly – but is essential to slow the spread of coronavirus and save lives.
In better news for many of our regions, full training and competition for players aged 18 and under can continue.
Further easing of restrictions, including target dates, will be considered by Professor Sutton by the end of July.
The Victorian Government will continue to work with the sport and recreation sector to explore recovery options and help clubs return to play when it is safe to do so.
The Sport and Recreation Return to Play Expert Advisory Panel is continuing to review return to play plans and provide advice to State Sporting Associations (SSA), with more than 90 plans reviewed to date and another 60 from clubs, that have been referred back to the relevant SSA.
The Victorian Government is also supporting grassroots sport through the $40 million Community Sport Sector Short-term Survival Package, which has already provided more than 5000 clubs across Victoria with a grant of $1000 each to help them remain operationally viable during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The Government is also investing a further $68 million in shovel-ready community sport and active recreation infrastructure projects across the state through the Community Sport Infrastructure Stimulus Program, which will stimulate jobs and economic activity and deliver fantastic new projects to local communities.
Further information on the new restrictions is available on the DHHS website.
9 JULY 2020
The announcement of a return to Stage 3 Stay at Home restrictions by the Premier yesterday is a setback for our Return to Community Netball plans throughout metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire.
This is a blow for so many members of our netball community, however it is clear that this is a necessary step for the health and safety of not only the people residing in these areas, but the wider Victorian community.
From 11:59pm tonight (Wednesday 8 July), people living in these areas will return to Stage 3 Stay at Home restrictions for a period of six weeks. This means that there are only four reasons for residents to leave their homes; to shop for food and supplies, for medical care or caregiving, to exercise, or to study or go to work – if this can’t be done from home.
This means all netball competitions, training and programs in metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire must be suspended until Wednesday 19 August, 2020. Residents in these areas are also not permitted to travel to other areas to participate in netball related activities.
We understand the re-instatement of Stay at Home restrictions will affect a considerable number of Affiliates, Clubs and members located within these areas. So many of our Affiliates and Clubs had worked hard to ensure they were well prepared for a return to community netball. Unfortunately, that has been put on hold for the short-term.
Whilst six weeks may seem like a long time, we have to remember this is temporary. Although physically we all need to be apart right now, we are a community, and we should do our best to stay engaged and connected.
For our regional Victorian netball community – with the exception of those residents of Mitchell Shire - the current advice for participating in netball remains the same as per the guidelines released on Monday 22 June. Training and competition can continue for juniors, whilst non-contact training is permitted for adults.
We encourage our regional netball community to continue to plan for the return of netball competitions and programs. We are encouraged by the level of interest in local competitions and acknowledge the level of care and consideration Affiliates are preparing to ensure the recommencement is safe for participants, officials and volunteers.
Regardless of where you live, right now, our priority is everyone’s health. Wash your hands. If you feel unwell, stay home. Even if you have the mildest of symptoms, get tested. Physically distance yourself from others, even those you love the most. And - most importantly - please look after each other.