04 March 2022

Netball Victoria's COVIDSafe Community Netball guidelines are now available.  The new guidelines will support associations, leagues, clubs and members return to the sport they love, and reconnect with their friends and communities.

The COVIDSafe Community Netball guidelines provide updated information on vaccination and face mask requirements, checking in and general health practices.

10 January 2022

As the new year begins, netball associations and clubs across Victoria are preparing for a return to community netball.  With the high number of COVID cases circulating in our community we encourage a cautious return to community netball.  We urge everyone to keep vigilant and apply the familiar health and hygiene practices, wear a mask, sanitise your hands and maintain 1.5 metre physical distance.  If you have any COVID symptoms, please do not attend netball. 

Netball Victoria's Return to Community Netball resources have been updated and are available at https://vic.netball.com.au/eased-restrictions

19 November

Today marks a huge milestone for the Victorian community.  Together, we have reached 90% vaccination status, one of the highest in the world.  With that achievement comes the removal of most restrictions, including those impacting on community netball. Venue limits have now been removed and we look forward to welcoming back our parents, guardians and spectators. The updated Return to Community Netball guidelines will be available from Monday with further detail. 

This can be a challenging time for our netball volunteers and administrators.  Please continue to follow their directions and put up your hand to offer help or support where you can. 

This is great timing for our Association Championships and Inter Academy events this weekend. We ask everyone to follow the directions of Netball Victoria event staff so we can continue to provide a safe environment for everyone.  Everyone must still check in, maintain 1.5metre physical distancing and wear a face mask if required. 

29 October

Community netball is back!

Competition and training can commence right across Victoria.  Our netball courts have been empty for far too long, let's get back out there and #playforthelove 

Netball Victoria's Return to Community Netball guidelines are now available online here

22 October

With restrictions eased across Victoria the return to netball is happening as of today!

To view the resources you need for the return to netball, click here.

Keep playing your role Vic!

17 October

Well done Victoria! 70% of the Victorian population 16+ will soon be fully vaccinated which means we’re another step closer to getting back out on court.

The Victorian Government has announced that restrictions across the state will begin to ease from 11.59pm Thursday 21 October.

More details regarding the resumption of community netball activity in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria will be available later this week. Any information regarding vaccination requirements will also be communicated. Until then, regional Victorians can continue training, and NetSetGO activities are permitted at outdoor venues.

Keep playing your role Vic!

11 October

Netball associations and clubs across Victoria are excitedly preparing for the return of community netball later this year. During this time, we are fielding a lot of questions about the vaccination requirements for on-court participants as well as those that support our great game. 

The Victorian Government will soon announce a position on the vaccination requirements for everyone involved in both professional and community sport. We anticipate there will be a requirement to be vaccinated to participate in any community netball activity. Over the past two years, Netball Victoria has followed the public health advice and the directions of the Victorian Government to ensure a safe return to community netball. We will continue to follow Government regulations including those relating to the vaccination requirements for community sport. 

We understand there will be complexities around the administration and management of a vaccination policy, however we are getting closer. The Services Victoria app now allows vaccinated individuals to upload their vaccination certificate, providing an easy way to display vaccination status when you check in. The use of this new technology will be tested through a series of trials throughout regional Victoria.  We will provide more information and support to you as soon as it is available.

In the meantime, Netball Victoria encourages everyone currently eligible within the netball community to get vaccinated.

19 September

We now have a plan for the return of community netball!

We’ve been here before, we know the joy that the end of year return brought us all last year… and we can’t wait for that again!

Netball Victoria will continue to process today’s announcements so we can provide you with the details you need to support a safe return to community netball.

What has come through loud and clear is the government’s requirement for individuals to be fully vaccinated to participate in many aspects of community life upon re-opening. We encourage our members to get vaccinated (if eligible).

As the ultimate team sport – we ask you to play your role.

Regional based restrictions have today been updated for Geelong, Surf Coast and Mitchell council areas. Netball Victoria will continue to reach out to associations, leagues and clubs (in areas where localised restrictions apply) to provide you with the relevant advice.

Time to dust off the fitness plan and prepare to get back on court!

10 September

We welcome the return to training across parts of regional Victoria. Please make sure you follow the guidelines. The Return to Community Netball resources have been updated and are now available here.

9 September

From 11.59pm on Thursday 9 September, regional Victoria (with the exclusion of Greater Shepparton) will welcome an easing of some restrictions.  This will include the return to training only for community sport.  At this stage, there is no date or a timeline available for a return to competition. 

Netball Victoria will update the Return to Community Netball guidelines when we have the necessary information to support a safe return to community netball.

This is a positive step for regional Victoria and we look forward to Greater Shepparton and metropolitan Melbourne following soon.

1 September

It’s been another tough day for Victorians with the announcement that lockdown will continue.  First and foremost check in on your team mates and those that you’re missing seeing on and around the court.

Netball remains on hold until further announcements are made by government.  We’ll continue to monitor those and provide updates.

We encourage everyone who is eligible to book a vaccination and help move toward the vaccination targets critical to re-opening. 

21 August

Regretfully, we pass on the news that regional Victoria will move back into lockdown.

All community netball activity across Victoria will be suspended, effective 1pm Saturday 21 August. Like metropolitan Melbourne this will be in place until 11.59pm Thursday 2 September.

We thank the regional Victorian netball community for responding so quickly to last night's call to cancel community sport this weekend.

We would love to be out in the sunshine playing netball and supporting our team from the sideline. Unfortunately, with the level of community transmission and the spread into regional Victoria we have a responsibility to do our bit to help stop the spread.

Again, we express our gratitude to the Victorian netball community and thank you for your continued commitment and the care you show to your extended netball family.

16 August

Netball Victoria regretfully confirm that the lockdown period for metropolitan Melbourne has been extended for two-weeks.  All community netball across metropolitan Melbourne will remain suspended until 11:59pm Thursday 2 September.  Unfortunately, this also means netball participants from metropolitan Melbourne are not pertmitted to travel into regional Victoria to participate in community sport. 

We know this is tough, but our metro netball community has shown a strong and determined resilience.  We'll be back out there soon.  Stay healthy and stay connected. 

11 August

Unfortunately, the current lockdown across metropolitan Melbourne will be extended for another seven days.  All community netball activity in metropolitan Melbourne will remain suspended until 11.59pm Thursday 19 August.

Effective Tuesday 10 August, regional Victorian communities can return to the court for competition and training, we wish them well and fully support their return. Please remember, people from metropolitan Melbourne cannot travel into regional Victoria to participate in community sport.  

Today, the Premier also announced changes affecting travel between Victoria and New South Wales. From 6.00pm Friday 13 August, residents of the cross-border community areas will be required to obtain a permit to cross between Victoria and New South Wales. Participation in community sport remains a permitted reason for travel, but you will be required to obtain a permit.

9 August

The Victorian Government has announced that restrictions across regional Victoria will ease from 11.59pm tonight, Monday 9 August.

Community netball may resume for all ages across regional Victoria; however people cannot travel from metropolitan Melbourne into regional Victoria to participate in community sport.  More details regarding return of community netball for regional Victoria will be available as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, there is no change to the current restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne.  All community netball activity across metropolitan Melbourne will remain suspended.

5 August

We regretfully inform our members that community netball has once again been put on hold. 

All community netball activity across Victoria will be suspended from 8:00pm on Thursday 5 August for a period of 7 days.

We will be here for you next week to support the return of community netball. #PlayForTheLove    

Unfortunately, this means that the Central East and Central West Association Championships will not go ahead as planned on Sunday 8 August.  We appreciate everyone's patience as we begin discussions around a new plan.  

28 July

Training and competition can return for all ages. Please make sure you continue to follow the guidelines and support each other as we prepare to return to the court.

Netball Victoria's updated Return to Community Netball resources are now available on the resources page.

27 July

Here we go again. Netball Victoria is preparing to update information to support the return to community netball. We will issue more detailed guidance as soon as we can.

Today's announcement is a positive step in getting community netball back on court.

20 July

Today, the Premier has confirmed that Victoria's lockdown will be extended for an additional seven days.

All community netball will remain suspended until 11:59pm Tuesday 27 July.  

Stay safe and we look forward to seeing you all back on court soon.

15 July

Netball Victoria can confirm that from 11.59pm tonight, Thursday 15 July until 11.59pm Tuesday 20 July all netball activity in Victoria will be suspended.

Unfortunately, our Central East and Central West Association Championships scheduled for this coming weekend will need to be postponed.  We will reach out to all participating associations with more information in the next 24 hours.   

Stay home, stay safe and we will see you all back on court soon.

15 June

Venue Cap update

We are pleased to share that Netball Victoria has received advice from Sport and Recreation Victoria that the venue capacity limit for outdoor, regional venues has been removed, the limit now refers to those necessary to support the activity, ie players, coaches, officials, volunteers and those required to support the participation of a minor/person requiring assistance to participate. Spectators are not permitted. Resources have been updated here to reflect this change.

There is no change to the venue cap for indoor, regional venues and there is no change to the current restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne.  

We hope that this above change to the capacity limits for outdoor, regional venues provides some confidence as we move toward further announcements this week  

9 June

Netball Victoria is happy to see a roadmap for the return of community netball across Victoria.  

Today’s announcements have a range of changes for both metropolitan and regional netballers.  We are seeking clarity on these announcements and will issue further advice as soon as we can.

Please continue to refer to Netball Victoria ’s Return to Community Netball resources 

2 June

The Victorian Government has announced that restrictions will remain in place in Melbourne for a further seven days.  This means all community netball activity in metropolitan areas will be suspended until 11:59pm Thursday 10 June.

Restrictions across regional Victoria may begin easing from 11:59pm on Thursday 3 June.  More detail about the restrictions in regional Victoria and the impact on community netball activity will be confirmed within the next 24 hours. 

27 May

Netball Victoria can confirm that from 11:59pm tonight (Thursday 27 May), until 11:59pm Thursday 3 June all netball activity in Victoria will be suspended.

This is a 7-day pause for the return to community netball.  Stay home, stay safe and we will see you back on court soon.

25 May

In line with this morning’s announcement by the Victorian Government, community sport may continue under existing COVIDSafe plans. Face masks must be worn whilst indoors at our venues in Greater Melbourne from 6pm on Tuesday, 25 May 2021. Players and umpires are not required to wear a mask while participating, but you must wear your mask at all other times in indoor venues.

A list of new public exposure sites has been released by the Victorian Government.  The exposure sites are now available at https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites. Please refer to the Return to Community Netball ‘Dealing with a Suspected Case’ resource here.

Please ensure that you continue to follow our COVIDSafe protocols when attending netball, ensuring you check in and practice good hygiene.

It is important that all players, coaches, officials and spectators comply to ensure we keep our community and venues safe.

26 February

Victoria will return to COVIDSafe Summer restrictions. The Return to Community Netball resources have been updated and are available here.

17 February

Victoria’s five day snap lockdown will end at 11:59pm tonight. This means all community netball activity can resume on Thursday, 18 February.

Restrictions remain in place and we encourage all associations, clubs and members to follow the guidelines and stay safe. Click here for the latest resources regarding this announcement.

12 February

Netball Victoria can confirm that from 11:59pm tonight (Friday 12 February), until 11:59pm Wednesday 17 February all netball activity in Victoria will be suspended.
This is a 5-day pause for the return to community netball. Stay home, stay safe and we will see you back on court soon.

Click here for the latest resource regarding this announcement.

4 February

Following the announcement from the Victorian Government made at 10.30pm on Wednesday 3 February, Netball Victoria's Return to Community Netball guidelines have been updated and are now available here.

Read for important updates regarding venue regulations and wearing face masks.

18 January

Netball Victoria's Return to Community Netball guidelines have been updated and are now available here.

Click for important updates for members, venue regulations and wearing face masks.

4 January

Netball Victoria's Return to Community Netball guidelines have been updated and are now available here.

The guidelines have been updated to reflect the Victorian Government's current COVIDSafe Summer restrictions. Click for important updates regarding spectators, venue limits and face masks. 

As the restrictions ease and netball returns we need to remember to keep our netball community safe.  Venues and facilities all have specific requirements and i'ts important that everyone plays their role in supporting Netball Associations to implement their COVID Safe Plans.  We encourage the netball community to read the updated guidelines, stay informed and stay safe.  Please continue to record your attendance, wear a face mask where required and stick to gathering limits.

We can't wait to have you all back on court in 2021.
#PlayForTheLove

7 December

Netball Victoria's Return to Community Netball guidelines have been updated and are now available here.

Click for important updates regarding spectators, venue limits and wearing face masks.

23 November

This week marks another significant step forward in our Return to Community Netball! Effective 11:59pm Sunday 22 November contact sport will return for adults, meaning senior netball competitions and programs can finally return. Outdoor venues will be limited to 500 people, with up to 50 people per space.

Indoor venues can reopen and contact community sport can return at indoor venues for people 18 years and younger as well as adults. Participation and gathering limits will apply and will be dependent on the size and function of the venue. Associations wanting to start a competition at an indoor venue should consult with Netball Victoria and their venue manager to work through group size and venue capacity.

8 NOVEMBER

We have been overjoyed watching the steady return of community netball across Victoria and we look forward to seeing more associations and leagues commence in the coming weeks.

Effective 11:59pm Sunday 08 November, the 25km travel limit will no longer be in place and the boundary between Metro Melbourne and Regional Victoria will come down. There will be some changes to indoor community sport venues across metro Melbourne, unfortunately this does not include netball competitions and programs.  Non-contact training may occur at indoor venues with a maximum of 20 people,  but only if participants can maintain 1.5 metre physical distancing.   

There are no changes to community netball in regional Victoria. There is no change to community sport for adults across Victoria.

Netball Victoria’s Return to Community Netball guidelines have been updated, you can find the latest resources here.

We look forward to the further easing of restrictions on 23 November and will provide further detail once it is available.

27 OCT 2020

Metropolitan Melbourne, we finally have the green light for community netball! At 11:59pm on Tuesday 27 October Metropolitan Melbourne will move to Step Three. This will include the return of outdoor junior netball competitions and programs and non-contact training for adults at outdoor venues.

The 25km limit will remain until 8 November which means some members will still be limited by the travel restrictions. 

For regional Victoria, people 18 years and younger can continue to participate in netball competitions and programs. Adults continue with non-contact training at outdoor venues. Indoor venues may open for non-contact sport only, for people aged 18 years and under.

Check our updated resources for further information.

18 OCT 2020

The long-awaited return of community netball in metropolitan Melbourne is inching closer. Metro Melbourne can look forward to a return of junior netball, which at this stage is scheduled for Sunday 1 November, but we wait for confirmation of a return date over the next week.  We thank you for being so patient and we appreciate everything you have done to support and stay connected to your netball community. It’s not long now and we will see you all back on court.

For regional Victoria, people 18 years and younger can continue to participate in netball competitions and programs. Adults continue with non-contact training at outdoor venues.

Today we throw our weight behind the mighty Melbourne Vixens!  They are #DoingItForVIC and doing it for every member of our community who has missed playing our great game.

23 SEP 2020

Netball Victoria is pleased to announce the return of community netball in regional Victoria.

Outdoor netball training and competition can return for people 18 years and younger. Adults will have to stick with non-contact training for a while longer.

Community sport remains on hold in metro Melbourne.

The Return to Community Netball guidelines have been updated and are now available on Netball Victoria’s website.

We encourage the netball community to take your time, read the guidelines and use the resources to prepare for a safe return.

#PlayForTheLove

15 SEP 2020

Effective 11:59pm Wednesday16 September, regional Victoria will move to Step Three of the reopening roadmap. This will see an easing of some restrictions, including the return of outdoor contact and non-contact sport for people aged 18 years and under, and the return of outdoor non-contact sport for adults.

At this stage, Netball Victoria does not endorse the return of any community netball activity.  We will update the Return to Community Netball guidelines and ensure we have the necessary information regarding a safe return.

6 SEP 2020

Along with you, we have watched today’s announcement regarding Victoria’s Roadmap for Reopening.  Whilst there is no clear announcement regarding the return of community netball in regional or metropolitan areas we will pay close attention to the trigger points for easing restrictions and continue to consult with Sport and Recreation Victoria.

We do have something to strive for..  Let’s keep doing the right thing, and together work towards the return of community netball.

For now, stay safe and please, reach out, check-in and stay connected to your team mates.  Victoria we’ve got this.

2 AUG 2020

With the Premier's announcement today that regional Victoria will be returning to Stage 3 restrictions, unfortunately this means that junior netball in regional Victoria will be suspended from 11:59pm, Wednesday 5 August. Effectively, from this time all community netball will be suspended across the state.

Victoria, this is tough, but perhaps if we attack it like the third quarter - the Premiership quarter – we can all play our role and get the win.

We can only beat this if we work together, by staying apart.

Please look after each other and stay safe.

We remain #HereIfYouNeed.

30 JULY 2020

We’ve been thrilled to see so many happy faces of junior netballers getting back on the court in recent weeks, and encourage our regional netball community to continue to follow the guidelines in their return to competition and training.

Today’s advice reaffirms that junior sport can continue in regional Victoria (excluding Mitchell Shire).

From August 3, masks will be required for all spectators over the age of 12.

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.

7 JULY 2020

Netball Victoria acknowledges that metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, return to Stage 3 Stay at home restrictions effective 8 July 11:59pm.  We understand the implications this will have on our netball community.

We will reach out to our Associations and Leagues to offer further detail.  We encourage our community to delay any decision making until we can provide this update.

We thank you for your patience.  And again, please stay safe and look after each other.

4 JULY 2020

Following a further update from the Premier today, please note that from 11.59pm tonight (Saturday 4 July) a further two postcodes have been added to Victoria's "hot zones" list; 3031 and 3051.  Just like the 10 postcodes announced last week, these postcodes will now also be required to return to Stage 3 Stay at Home restrictions, where 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 that unfortunately netball training and competition cannot continue in these postcodes, and residents in these postcodes are not permitted to travel outside of their postcodes for the purposes of netball.  

1 JULY 2020

Netball Victoria echoes the Premier’s disappointment that a necessary step has had to be taken to lockdown 36 Melbourne suburbs to help curb a ‘second wave’ outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Despite the implications this will mean for so many members of our netball community, it is clear that this is a necessary step for the health and safety of not only the people residing in these suburbs, but the wider Victorian community.

From 11:59pm tonight (Wednesday 1 July), postcodes linked to these outbreaks will go into local lockdown. For now, that includes; 3038, 3064, 3047, 3060, 3012, 3032, 3055, 3042, 3021, 3046.  These postcodes will be required to return to Stage 3 Stay at Home restrictions, where 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 netball training and competition cannot continue in these postcodes, and residents in these postcodes are not permitted to travel outside of their postcodes for the purposes of netball.  

We understand this localised lockdown will affect a number of Affiliates, Clubs and members located both within and outside of these designated postcodes, and that so many of our Affiliates and Clubs have worked hard to ensure they follow the Return to Community Netball guidelines.  This is a localised setback, but we fully commit to continue supporting our Affiliates and Clubs through this period.

Netball Victoria have decided to delay the commencement of our own Parkville Netball competition (PNC) as many of those who participate at PNC come from these affected suburbs, plus, our temporary home at Riverside is also closed.  Competition will now commence from Monday 3 August, with opportunities for practice matches for others in the lead-up to this date.  Clubs and teams will be contacted directly with further information.

We acknowledge your concern for the health and safety of yourselves, your family and your community, and we know this situation continues to create uncertainty.  But when we hit the court once again, we know all of the hard work we have put in to get there will have been worth it.

We will continue to keep our community updated with the latest updates on government regulations and what this means for our roadmap to Return to Community Netball state-wide.  With the exception of the 10 abovementioned postcodes, the current advice for participating in netball remains the same as per the guidelines released on Monday 22 June. 

For the people that live within these restricted postcodes – many of whom we know have been doing the right things– we know this is devastating for you.

However, right now, our priority everyone’s health – regardless of where you live.  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.  Download the COVIDSafe App.

And - most importantly - please look after each other.

30 JUNE 2020

Following the Premier's statement this afternoon regarding the lockdown of specific Melbourne suburbs in order to combat the continued spread of COVID-19, we are assessing the information and the expected impact for the postcodes included in this announcement.

We remain committed to our roadmap for the return of community netball.

In the meantime, please stay safe and look after each other.

24 JUNE 2020

Netball Victoria is pleased to release the updated the Return to Community Netball guidelines, following the recent Victorian Government announcements regarding the lifting of some COVID-19 restrictions.  We are excited to have a road map which paves the way for the return of community sport in Victoria.  

The way that our netball community has adopted Netball Victoria’s Return to Community Netball guidelines has been fantastic, and shows a commitment to ensuring the safe return to play.

We understand that our sport is reliant on local community input and a dedicated workforce of volunteers, and it is our aim to provide information and resources to support the return of community netball.

To this end, Netball Victoria will once again be hosting a number of information sessions to inform and educate Affiliates on the protocols for a safe return to netball and to ensure that you are comfortable with your role in this.

As you will most likely know, from last Monday, 22 June:

- Indoor venues could open for the purpose of sport and recreation;

- People 18 years and under were able to resume full contact training and competition, at both indoor and outdoor venues;

- Adults could participate in non-contact training in groups of up to 20 - plus a coach - at both indoor and outdoor venues.

Adults will have to wait a little longer to return to competition.  We expect further clarification on this in July.  

Netball Victoria Affiliates and Clubs are required to adhere to the Return to Community Netball guidelines.  Naturally, we will continue to prioritise the health and wellbeing of both the individuals involved our sport, as well as the wider community as we work toward a safe return to training and competition in this new COVID-19 environment.

All Return to Community Netball information and resources can be found here.

Netball Victoria continue to engage with AFL Victoria, Basketball Victoria and other sporting organisations around the return to community sport, and we encourage you to continue working together to adopt the best approach for your local community.

We are eager to get back to the game we love, and we look forward to working with our Associations, Leagues and Clubs to ensure our return to the court is as seamless as possible.

For further advice on how your Association or Club can return to play, please contact participation@netballvic.com.au.

Further announcements around the easing of restrictions, including the return to competition details for adults, will be made in July, pending further government announcements.

Participants should not return to netball if, in the last 14 days, they have been unwell or have had close contact with a known or suspected case of COVID-19.  We encourage everyone to maintain physical distancing and keep up good personal health and hygiene practices.

22 JUNE 2020

Netball Victoria continues to work through government announcements regarding the return to community sport guidelines released last week, as well as the updated announcements made over the weekend.

We expect to release our Return to Community Netball guidelines in the coming days. The return to competition is exciting and we want to ensure we provide you with the best information to make the return to play as smooth as possible.

We thank you for your patience.

15 JUNE 2020

Netball Victoria is delighted with the Victoria State Government announcement today of a road map for the return of community sport in Victoria.  We have seen netballers return to training with cautious excitement, and know the delight that a return to competition will bring our community. 

We are processing the detail in these announcements and seeking further clarification before we can provide further advice to our netball community.  We will provide the updated Return to Community Netball guidelines as soon as we can.  

27 MAY 2020

The Victorian Government has announced further easing of restrictions which will enable groups of up to 20 - plus a coach - to participate in training at outdoor venues from Monday 1 June, 2020.  All activity and training must continue to be non-contact and no competitions or match play may take place.  Netball Victoria will continue to support Associations, Leagues and Clubs through this unprecedented time to ensure they adhere to the Return to Community Netball guidelines.

Netball Victoria continues to advocate on behalf of our community to the State Government for a roadmap to resume competitive netball. At this point in time, we are advocating for a recommencement of competition netball in mid-July 2020. 

To enable us to effectively assess the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on your annual Netball Victoria membership, we have deferred an announcement until October 31, 2020.  This will enable us to make an informed decision based on the state of play, and to further assess a range of options to manage current and future memberships.  We continue to accept applications for refunds based on hardship or medical reasons, which are assessed on a weekly basis.  

We are aware our netball community are doing all you can to make decisions in this uncertain environment.  We encourage you to wait for the Victorian Government announcements regarding further easing of restrictions before making any definitive decisions.  We expect to see a strong Return to Community Netball and look forward to continuing to work with our passionate netball community to achieve this.
 

25 MAY 2020

On Sunday 24 May, the Victorian Government announced further easing of restrictions, which will come into effect from Monday 1 June.  Netball Victoria Affiliates and Clubs are required to adhere to the current Return to Community Netball guidelines. Further information regarding the easing of restrictions will be released in the coming days.

Return to Community Netball – Information Session (Tuesday 19 May, 2020) Recording

18 MAY 2020

Following the Victorian Government announcement on Monday 11 May of a phased approach to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, Netball Victoria has developed their Return to Community Netball guidelines to support the resumption of training on outdoor courts.

We are excited to be able to advise that from Thursday 21 May, groups of up to 10 people will be permitted to meet outdoors for the purpose of group netball activity, whilst adhering to appropriate physical distancing regulations.  Netball Victoria sees this as an opportunity for teams to gradually begin to reconnect with their teammates and return to training in a safe and cautious manner.

Netball Victoria Affiliates and Clubs are required to adhere to the Return to Community Netball guidelines, to assist teams in returning to training in a manner that prioritises the health and wellbeing of both the individuals involved in the session, as well as the wider community.

Of course, any return to training should be optional and entirely at the discretion of the individual.  In addition to this, participants should not return to netball if in the last 14 days they have been unwell or have had close contact with a known or suspected case of COVID-19.

Netball Victoria have compiled a range of downloadable and editable resources, to help Associations, Leagues, Clubs and Netball Victoria members ensure a smooth and safe return to play in a new COVID-19 environment:

Please note the resources and information provided by Netball Victoria are aligned with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Framework for Rebooting Sport in a COVID-19 Environment, and the State/Territory COVID-19 Road Map.

There is a range of other external resources which you may find helpful to promote a healthy and safe environment at your Club or Association:

Netball Victoria continue to engage with AFL Victoria, Basketball Victoria and other sports around the return to community sport, and we encourage you to work together to decide on the best approach for your local community. 

Netball Victoria will be hosting information sessions to inform and educate Affiliates and Clubs on the protocols for a safe return to netball.  

For further advice on how your team or club can return to play, please contact participation@netballvic.com.au.

Further announcements around the easing of restrictions, including the return of competitions and programs, will be made by May 31.

14 MAY 2020

Netball Victoria is continuing to work with the relevant State Government departments to ensure we provide a Return to Play protocol for community netball.  We expect to have these guidelines available early next week.  In the meantime, we recommend that you do not take part in any formal training or play.  

We are seeking further information from government and provide Associations, Leagues and Clubs with State-specific guidelines to inform and support your Return to Play.  

We understand this is not ideal and everyone is eager to get back to training, however we want to ensure we provide you all with guidelines which meet the health and safety requirements of the Victorian Government.

13 MAY 2020

For several weeks now, Netball Victoria have been working on a Return to Play action plan.

Following Premier Dan Andrews announcement about beginning to ease restrictions on Monday, we are waiting on some final details from government before we can release Step 1 of this plan to you ASAP! Stay tuned.

7 MAY 2020

By working together, staying connected and leaning on each other we will get through this unusual time.  Here at Netball Victoria, we will continue to listen to the government and take advice from health experts.  We are in constant communication with Sport and Recreation Victoria, VicSport and other state sporting organisations, which enables us to share information and build a collective voice for community sport across Victoria.   

We will lean on you – our Victorian netball community - to share your experience, to share your knowledge and understanding of your local community to help us with a strategy to return to netball when the time is right.  Together we will get there.

RETURN TO PLAY

At this stage, all community netball is suspended until at least May 31, 2020.  This date will be reviewed and updated as the impacts of the government regulations, such as physical distancing, evolve.  We thank you for your understanding and the support you have shown throughout this time.  The health, safety and wellbeing of our community is the most important thing right now and you are playing a major role in helping Australia fight through this pandemic.

We are very optimistic that community netball will return sometime this year.  Netball Victoria is working on a Return to Play strategy to ensure you have the best possible chance to deliver competitions and programs when it is safe.  We do expect that some restrictions will continue through to the end of the year and we will provide advice when we know more about those potential restrictions.

We are doing everything we can to make sure that you can deliver competitions in 2020.  We are lucky that our sport has flexibility in how we deliver competitions and programs and we are lucky that so many of our facilities are available all year round, on weekends and weeknights.  We are lucky that our sport is affordable and most of all we are lucky that we have so many people dedicated to and involved in the organisation and administration of community netball.

To assist the netball community to get back to participating in the sport we love, think about downloading the Federal Government’s COVIDSafe App. The quicker we get on top of COVID-19, the quicker we will be able to hit the court again.

STAY CONNECTED

Staying connected today is vital to our social and emotional wellbeing.  Stay connected to your members, let them know you are still around and how they can connect with you.  We know you can’t be at the courts but provide your contact details and include when it’s best for people to contact you.

Online Programs & Events
If you had to postpone or cancel an event or program, try hosting an alternative offering online.  We have seen a lot of Associations and Clubs keeping in touch with their representative teams, their coaches, and let’s not forget about our umpires.  Connect and have a chat.  Find a webinar or online education session that you can all dial in to.  Throw out a challenge on social media.  Share some fun work out at home activities.  Post regular updates on your social media channels so we can see them too!

SALT Lunchbox - Mental Health and Wellbeing
SALT (Sport And Life Training) have announced a program of interactive webinars to help both groups and individuals with the unique and difficult times that we are in.  These are free, online sessions, held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm.  The webinars will include topics such as emotional agility, resilient thinking, overcoming stress and anxiety, having kids home 24/7, maintaining friendships and much, much more.  The sessions will be positive and interactive, and you can tune in by following this link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/768832900.

STAY INFORMED

So much is happening so quickly, it’s hard to stay up to date with the current thinking.  Here are a few items that you might find beneficial.

Women of Sport – An Interview with Rosie King
Read this open and honest interview with Netball Victoria’s very own CEO, Rosie King.  Hear about how Rosie is leading Netball Victoria through this time, what keeps her awake at night and what she is looking forward to when sport can resume: vic.netball.com.au/news/iso-her-own-words-ceo-rosie-king.

Offsiders ABC
An interesting episode of Offsiders aired on Sunday 12 April.  The episode focused on community sport, the significance of sport to local communities and the value of junior participation.  You can catch up on iview here: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/offsiders/series/0/video/RS1908V011S00.

Should Our Goal Be To Return to Normal?
What is the future for sport after COVID-19?  What choices do we need to make now to best prepare us for the future?https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/should-sports-goal-return-normal-ian-sandbrook

Impact on Community Sport
The impact on community sport is somewhat unknown?  What should we be looking for in the short-term and in the long-term?
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-10/coronavirus-community-sport-clubs-feeling-impact-of-pandemic/12137910

Netball's Ability To Survive On Little Will See Them Through Covid-19 Uncertainty
As a sport we have always been resourceful and innovative.
https://www.espn.com.au/netball/story/_/id/29061932/netball-ability-survive-little-see-covid-19-uncertainty

A Call for State Government Support
Netball Victoria CEO Rosie King is calling for government to support Associations to get back to netball.  Read about it here: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/netball/calls-for-states-to-support-grassroots/news-story/7c089e95f65c78c904493a4f0af2ec1c.

CONNECT WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT & VENUE MANAGERS

Local Government is a major contributor to community sport and community sports facilities.  It is important that we keep in touch and up to date with decisions regarding fees, charges and maintenance.  Some Local Government Areas have announced they will waive fees or provide relief packages for community and sporting groups using Council-owned and managed sporting courts and buildings.  Contact your Local Government Area and chat about the specific measures that might apply to your area. 

Likewise, if you operate from a venue managed by another organisation, make contact and have a conversation about what the next couple of weeks and months might look like.

CONNECT WITH SPONSORS & PARTNERS

Stay in touch with the groups and organisations that support your Association.  Work together to find new and different ways of supporting each other through this period.  Many Clubs and Associations are well supported by local businesses; the local café, butcher, hairdresser, shoe shop and so on.  These local businesses are being impacted and there may be ways you can continue to support them; buy a voucher, promote their take away options, advertise a sale, repost their communications.  The important thing is to stay connected, have a conversation and continue to work together.

ADMINSTRATION @ HOME

Now is the time to do all of those things we usually don’t have time to do!

Working with Children Check Status Checker
Now is the perfect time to check the status of your staff and volunteers’ Working with Children Checks.  Head to this website and download the status checker spreadsheet: https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/about-the-check/resources/status-checker.  Input the Surname and Working with Children Check Number of your staff and volunteers.  Click ‘Start Search’ and this template will check the status of multiple cards at the one time.  It is super simple and will save you a mountain of time.

MyNetball Administration
Now is the time to jump on MyNetball.  You can record and download player contact information, player and match statistics and other important historical data.  You can download, record and file data without too much effort.  The attached document MyNetball Administration Tasks provides a step-by-step guide showing how to complete the following three tasks. 

1. Player History, Matches Played Report - download that all important player history data.  Keep track of how many games someone played for your club or association.
2. Participant Contact and Membership Information - download copies of your registered members from the current or previous years. 
3. Email Communication - MyNetball has a free and very simple email communication function.  You can use this to email all members, or you can break it down an email a team, a competition or membership type such as NetSetGO or juniors.

#VIXENSATHOME

A number of resources have been developed for junior players and fans alike, such as colouring in pages, find-a-words, recipes and more!  Check out: melbournevixens.com.au/community/vixens-at-home.

15 APR 2020

To our Victorian netball family;

What song is it that said, “you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone?”  The impact that we have all felt since netball has stopped is significant.  

Of course, we know how important sport is to our community and our individual wellbeing.  It develops friendships, social skills, teamwork and connectedness. Sport also provides significant physical and mental health benefits and most importantly it builds strong communities. The games and teams we are part of or that we follow, weave us passionately together, in times of celebration and hardship. 

Many of the things that we could rely on - pre COVID-19 - as being part of our lives are no longer accessible to us because of the new restrictions that have been developed for community safety by our Federal and State Governments.  Our entrenched routines and habits are now shifting in ways that would have seemed improbable to us only a few weeks ago.

There is no doubt that we are all wishing life to be back to normal, however our ‘new normal’ may be quite different; both in the short and in the long term.  This extends to how the entire sporting landscape might look going forward, particularly for the rest of this year. 

Community Netball

At this stage all community netball seasons have been suspended until at least May 31, 2020.  This date will be reviewed and updated, as the impacts of the different government strategies - such as social isolation - evolve.  We thank you for your understanding and support of our decisions throughout this time – we truly are all in this together!

Netball Victoria Competitions

Yesterday we announced the unfortunate yet necessary decision to cancel Netball Victoria’s Association Championships and State Titles for 2020.  The full statement with regards to this decision can be found here.

The Netball Victoria Participation and Development teams are currently working on some alternative competition structures and other engagement opportunities for our members in the later part of 2020.  We will keep you informed about these as they are confirmed.

Talent Academy and State Team Selection Policies

Following the announcement that both Association Championships and State Titles would be cancelled for 2020, it was also announced that the Netball Victoria Board has suspended the current Talent Academy and State Team selection policies.  This will allow Netball Victoria to review our talent identification process to ensure our pathway programs remain strong on the other side of COVID-19.

Moving Netball Online

Since it became apparent that 2020 was going to look significantly different to what we had planned, our Netball Victoria staff have been working furiously behind the scenes to re-design as many of our courses and resources as possible so that they can be made available online.  They are also working on new initiatives and content to keep our Victorian netball family as involved with netball as possible during this period of hiatus.  

Like many other organisations we are currently charting unknown territory, and we are discovering some logistical factors which is making this process more time consuming than we would like.  We thank you for your patience during this process; we’re confident that the outcome will be worth it!

Netball Victoria Memberships

As our community netball seasons have been impacted thus far by COVID-19, it is natural that the question of member refunds will come up, given the indefinite delayed start of the season, and therefore reduced opportunities to play this year.

Other sports across Victoria are largely in the same boat, and as such we have been in regular contact with our peers as we work through the best way to manage this situation for our members.  At the same time, we need to carefully manage our finances to ensure longevity of our sport.  As you would be aware your membership fees cover a range of essential services and programs, which we are continuing to deliver which are in addition to your insurance and our usual netball competitions.  You can find out more about the benefits of being a Netball Victoria member here: netballvic.com.au/your-membership-is-more-than-insurance.

We remain optimistic that competition will resume in 2020 and we are working hard to plan different scenarios for what community competitions will be, once the government restrictions are relaxed or lifted.

As we have a high expectation that there will be some form of competition this year, and because there has been significant investment since the cessation of our last competition to ensure that we have been ready for the 2020 season proper, we believe that it is premature to consider member refunds.  However as always, we will consider requests for refunds to those members who are experiencing extreme financial hardship at any time.

Sports Perks

Don’t forget that all current Netball Victoria members have access to Sports Perks (formerly Sports Pass) as an added benefit of your membership. Sports Perks gives you access to discounts on Woolworths shopping, and many other discounts that can still be redeemed during this period of ‘shutdown’. And when social distancing regulations are relaxed, a range of other event and activity discounts will also be available to all Netball Victoria members via Sports Perks.

You must sign up using your Netball Victoria membership number to access the benefits, which can be done here: sportsperks.com.au/sports/netball-vic.

Suncorp Super Netball

The Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) Commission has advised us that they will come to a decision as to what the 2020 SSN season will look like by May 31.  We appreciate that there are many scenarios that need to be worked through and various stakeholders that need to be considered in the making of any decision, and hence this is a time-consuming process. We will let our members and community know the outcome as soon as the Commission inform us of their decision.

However, while we’re waiting for netball to return, the great news is that thanks to Telstra, all match replays are now available on the Netball Live app for free for all users!  There is also Suncorp Super Netball’s Rebound portal and the Melbourne Vixens #VixensAtHome activities to keep you occupied during this period of hiatus.

Melbourne Vixens Memberships

Whilst we wait to see what the 2020 SSN season may look like, we’re asking our Melbourne Vixens members to please hold on to your membership cards for the 2020 season.  Our membership team is also working to send out your membership scarves and beanies to all members (which would usually be collected on game day) so that we can still be united by our support of our club, even though we can’t all be together at the moment.  We can’t wait to see the pictures of you at home in your Vixens gear when you receive them!  

In addition to this, all brand-new 2020 Vixens merchandise will be available for despatch in the next couple of weeks, so we encourage all supporters to check out the new designs and place your orders online.

The eight SSN teams are presently discussing the impact to team memberships and we expect that all teams will have a similar approach which will become clearer once the SSN Commission have announced what the season will be.  Generally, SSN team memberships are non-refundable, however, as with our Netball Victoria memberships, we will of course consider requests for refunds to those members who are experiencing financial hardship at any time.

On behalf of the team at Netball Victoria, thank you for your ongoing support.  We will keep you informed as new information comes to light.

Most importantly please stay safe, look after those around you, and we hope to see you back out on the netball court or cheering from the sidelines soon!

Kind regards,

Rosie King
CEO
April 15, 2020

14 APR 2020

Due to the current situation our sport and the wider community is facing in response to COVID-19, Netball Victoria has made the difficult decision to cancel two of our most significant competitions; Association Championships and State Titles.

The full statement from Netball Victoria with regards to this decision can be found here.

Here is the current status of various Netball Victoria and Melbourne Vixens events and activities:

31 MAR 2020

To help us navigate this global pandemic; COVID-19, all Netball Victoria staff will now be working from home from Monday to Thursday. Further to this, Netball Victoria’s virtual offices will be closed on Fridays for the foreseeable future.  The longevity of netball in Victoria and job retention for our staff is our priority throughout all this, so that we can continue to assist our Victorian netball community throughout this period of uncertainty. 

Currently the State of Victoria is in the midst of a state-wide shut down of non-essential services, and we thank our netball community following suit and suspending all community netball competitions and activities.

At this stage all community netball – including NetSetGO - is suspended until May 31, a timeline which we are reviewing continually. We will update the Victorian netball community as soon as any further updates come to hand.

Please note that Netball Victoria is not currently issuing refunds on Netball Victoria memberships during this time.  We will re-assess as required if the situation continues or escalates.

As we all know, this situation is evolving daily, if not hourly, and so we are doing our best to update the Victorian netball community with our recommendations with the most up-to-date information we have available to us at the time.

26 MAR 2020

Netball Victoria memberships update:

Please note that Netball Victoria is not currently issuing refunds on Netball Victoria Memberships due to the recommendation that community netball be suspended until May 31.  We will re-assess as required if the situation continues or escalates.

24 MAR 2020

To help us navigate this global pandemic; COVID-19, all Netball Victoria staff will now be working from home from Monday to Thursday. Further to this, Netball Victoria’s virtual offices will be closed on Fridays for the foreseeable future, commencing Friday 27 March.  The longevity of netball in Victoria and job retention for our staff is our priority throughout all this, so that we can continue to assist our Victorian netball community throughout this period of uncertainty. 

23 MAR 2020

Following yesterday’s announcement from Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews that the State Government will be implementing a state-wide shut down of non-essential services, we ask our netball community to please follow suit and suspend all community netball competitions and activities.

Previously we had recommended that all community netball be suspended until April 14, however today we wish to update this to recommend that all community netball be suspended until May 31. 

Netball Victoria recommends that all netball related programs including training and NetSetGO is suspended until May 31. Once again, this date will be reviewed continually, and we will update the Victorian netball community as soon as any further updates come to hand.

As we all know, this situation is evolving daily, if not hourly, and so we are doing our best to update the Victorian netball community with our recommendations with the most up-to-date information we have available to us at the time.

Here is the current status of various Netball Victoria and Melbourne Vixens activities over the coming weeks:

18 MAR 2020

A reminder that our recommendation to the Victorian netball community is to suspend competitions until Tuesday 14 April (the end of the Victorian school holidays).

If Affiliates continue to run competitions, they must be within the updated government requirements outlined below:

Indoor competitions - 100 or less people to be present at the one time

Outdoor competitions - 500 or less people present at the one time

The Federal Minister for Sport has also released guidelines for community sport in response to the COVID-19 situation.  Please visit Sport Australia's website for more information.

We are assessing the situation and how it affects our Netball Victoria calendar daily, and we will also be going through the tournament calendar with our community.  Please see the current status of Netball Victoria-led events and programs below:

17 MAR 2020

A message from our CEO