Netball SA received approval from the State Government on Saturday morning, May 9, for a structured return-to-training plan for Community Netball across the state.
From Monday, May 18, clubs and associations can commence outdoor training for junior and senior teams in groups of 10 people per court, including coaching and support staff.
All trainings will be held under strict protocols, in line with government guidelines to ensure the safety of the netball community.
At this stage, indoor training will not be permitted and Priceline Stadium, along with all other indoor stadiums, will remain closed until June 8.
However, the outdoor courts at Priceline will be reopened.
A comprehensive return-to-play proposal by Netball SA was submitted the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing (ORSR) earlier this week in response to eased restrictions around COVID-19.
The approved proposal included the following protocols, in line with current advice permitting netball trainings to return at ‘Level B’ restrictions as per the AIS Framework for Rebooting Sport in a COVID-19 environment:
- Small group trainings of no more than 10 athletes/staff in total
- Training activities will be strictly non-contact
- Changeroom facilities not to be used
- Social distancing of 1.5 metres to be upheld
- Some sharing of sporting equipment permitted, such as throwing a netball, using a skipping rope, weights and mats
- Players must not arrive more than 15 minutes prior to training commencing
- Spectators are not permitted. For juniors, one parent/caregiver is permitted for supervision purposes and if feasible they are encouraged to wait in car/outside venue to avoid gatherings
- Each club to determine an individual within each team to be responsible for ensuring all patrons adhere to the protocols
- Hand hygiene available at all facilities and increased hygiene practices
For more detail, please see the documents that were submitted as part of the proposal:
Netball SA CEO Bronwyn Klei said as eager as netball was to get back on the court, it was paramount that a return-to-training plan was enforced in a structured manner to ensure safety.
“We all just want to get back out on court, but it’s so important that we get this step right to ensure we can progress from the return-to-train to a return-to-play plan as soon as possible,” Ms Klei said.
“Although outdoor training for groups of 10 is permitted from Monday, May 11, we want to give our clubs and associations the time to digest these new protocols and put the required safety measures in place ahead of May 18.
“We will work closely with our clubs and associations to ensure they have the resources they need to adequately protect their athletes and staff.”
“We’re thrilled our players can start training in groups of ten - this is a significant step towards seeing the sport we love return in full,” Klei said.
“Netball, and sport in general, is so important to the health and wellbeing of not just our junior players, but all our athletes across South Australia.”
Netball SA will continue to work with SA Health and ORSR towards ‘Level C’ of the plan, which would allow for full training and competition.
