We are certainly excited by the Deputy Premier, John Barilaro announcement last week that “kids’ sport can resume across NSW from 1 July.”
While this is undoubtedly a positive step for a full return to play for all our members, the following should be noted regarding the Government’s announcement:
• This is age-restricted: “Community sports competitions can restart for those aged 18 years and under from 1 July.”
While the decision provides a welcome restart of junior touch football, I can advise that following a briefing with the Sports Minister and the NSW Chief Medical officer on Friday 4 June, the return date for senior competition remains unset.
I want to reassure all our members that we are exploring all avenues to get an indication as to what that date will be. You can return to training, but you need to ensure you follow the guidelines. For our volunteers, please click here and participants click here for these guidelines. I know that many teams have commenced training and, like you, I am keen to get everyone back playing as soon as possible.
In recent weeks NSWTA has worked with Touch Football Australia and Queensland Touch Football, to provide the State Government with guidance and proposals on a safe return to play for touch football. Those guidelines are in place and have been provided to all relevant state government authorities.
For NSWTA run event, we are continuing our planning and maintain our desire to see these vents run. Government regulations in relation to social distancing may mean we need to deliver our events differently in 2020 but we remain focused on being able to run those events.
We along with Queensland Touch Football have worked on a reduced affiliation model for those Season 1 competitions. This is now in place and offers significant reductions for those affiliates able to get a Season 1 competition up running even if in s short format.
It is to be hoped that an announcement from the Government with details on how and when our adult competitions will be back on the field will be made soon.
We are grateful for your ongoing patience and support. We know from interactions and discussions with our volunteers who provide the opportunity for all of us to play- that they are as keen as we are to get you back onto the field.
While it might feel as though currently with life, we are all holding it together with one bobby pin- I believe that the strength in our community is the strong connection with and the shared love we have for this game. We will be back together soon.
Best wishes stay strong and stay safe.
Dean Russell
General Manager
New South Wales Touch Association
