Last evening we received notification from the NSW Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, concerning community sports activities.
In response to increased cases of COVID-19 in NSW, Dr. Chant advised of further public health measures to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission related to participation in community sports. These updated recommendations will help meet the NSW Government’s aim of achieving no community transmission in NSW and will support community sports to continue operating safely.
In addition to the current Public Health Orders and the COVID Safety Plans we all must operate under, we have been advised to implement the following updated public health recommendations:
- Cease activities that result in the mixing of participants and staff from different regions, for example by ceasing zone, regional or State championships or competitions
- Cease any activities that result in overnight stays (e.g. multi-day training camps) due to increased risk of COVID transmission in residential-type settings with shared facilities
- Cease face-to-face social activities relating to community sports (e.g. award ceremonies, end-of-season social gatherings, post-training group dinners)
- Avoid carpools or bus travel with people from different household groups where possible
- For local activities, limit spectators to one parent only, where the child requires parental supervision during the sporting activity.
The implementation of these recommendations will commence from Wednesday, August 19.
We have been advised to anticipate that these recommendations will need to be in place for the next six (6) weeks.
Dr Chant and NSW Health will continue to update us about the continued need for these public health measures.
Local community grass root competitions are able to continue as it is currently being implemented providing that it does not require inter-regional mixing including activities which bring together participants (including spectators and officials) from organisations in different regions of Sydney, from a rural area into a metro area and vice versa, and movement between different rural areas.
For Vawdon Cup, however, it means that our scheduled start date of September 18 will be delayed.
The Events team is currently working on solutions in relation to the Vawdon Cup structure given this new NSW Government advice. Once we have formed a firm view on the new structure will communicate this to all.
It is also our view that we will continue to plan to run both the Country Championships (10 weeks away) and State Cup (16 weeks away).
Further, while these new instructions are a set-back for our representative pathways, we do understand the Government’s position in looking to get in front of the current outbreaks. It doesn’t prevent us from playing touch football, we just have to do it locally for a little while. All our participants must play their part. You must ensure that for your competition you have in place and are following your approved COVID Safety Plan, that we all maintain proper social distancing protocols and ensure we all are undertaking essential hygiene practices.
To aid in this area, the NSWTA will shortly be providing to all our affiliates, a hand sanitising station, and a small stock of hand sanitiser.
NSW Health continues to monitor the situation throughout the State, and the Office of Sport and Sport NSW will communicate any future recommendations, changes to COVID-19 Safety Plans or Public Health Orders that impact community sport.
The following are FAQ’s provided by Health NSW.
Best wishes, and stay safe.
Dean Russell
General Manager
