COVID-19 Updates
As of May 8, 2020
Return to Sport
You may have seen the Federal Government announcement last Friday evening (01/05/20) in regard to the planning for a staged return to community sport.
Included in the National Cabinet update was:
An agreement to bring forward the review of the first phase of removing baseline restrictions on Friday, 8 May 2020.
The consideration and endorsement of the ‘National Principles for the Resumption of Sport and Recreation Activities’.
A ‘Framework for Rebooting Sport in a COVID-19 Environment’ was also developed by the AIS.
Please note: States and Territories are responsible for sport and recreation resumption decisions, both at the professional and community level and will determine progression through the phases, taking account of local epidemiology, risk mitigation strategies and public health capability.
Return to Sport Guidelines
We have developed Return to Sport Guidelines for basketball in Victoria that consider the AIS Framework for Rebooting Sport; and acknowledges the Federal Governments principles for the resumption of sport and recreation. The document refers to risk management strategies to enable a return to basketball at various levels of restriction including, the flow of traffic in and out of venues, time restrictions, compulsory cleaning, sanitisation and restrictions on players, officials and parents per court.
Basketball Victoria strongly believes that indoor sport should be reactivated at the same time as outdoor sports, and has proactively developed these detailed guidelines to demonstrate to government that our sport has the ability to provide a safe and controlled environment for the return to participation. However, we need to acknowledge that these guidelines are still in draft form, and will ultimately be guided by the directions from the Victorian Government. Basketball Victoria is providing members these draft guidelines now, to inform you how we envisage the sport may be reactivated and the types of steps that we may all need to take to ensure that we return in a safe and sustainably healthy manner.
We wish to emphasise that these are not for implementing at this stage. We will communicate to all members as soon as we have further details from the Victorian Government on how community sport can be activated and we will amend our draft guidelines as necessary to ensure that our members have the most up to date and accurate guidelines for reactivation.
It is highly likely that there will be a gradual return to sport, with systematic staged lifting of restrictions only when the state government has a level of confidence to do so. This will mean that we will need to show flexibility in how we operate, understanding that this is a different time for sport, and patience for everyone involved in all areas trying to make this work. We will need to ensure that we comply with guidelines, and not take actions that can risk the restrictions being lifted. The basketball community has shown great strength and understanding during this unprecedented time for our sport, and we’re confident this will continue through the recovery that lies ahead.
Note: The guidelines do not cover the actions for associations to take if there is a new or positive case of COVID-19, we have been advised that government is working on a set of guidelines for the business community which will be adapted for sports, but will need to be adopted regardless.
Should any members have any questions arising from these draft guidelines we encourage you to contact either Dean Anglin, Mark Hubbard or David Huxtable at Basketball Victoria.
As new information is made available, we will provide further updates in the following few days.
Basketball Competitions, Programs, Leagues and Events
Domestic / Social Basketball
Due to stage 3 restrictions and the extension of the State of Emergency (until May 11) by the Victorian Government, the Autumn and Winter 2020 domestic basketball seasons are suspended until at least 31 May 2020.
This date is being regularly reviewed (as per above) and updated as the impacts of the Federal and Victorian Government strategies become apparent.
As domestic basketball competitions have been impacted, it is natural that the question of refunds comes up, given the reduced opportunities to play.
Basketball Victoria Licence
All sports across Victoria are experiencing this, and as such we have been in regular contact with the relevant sporting bodies, as we work through the best way to manage this situation for our participants, while carefully managing the financial situation of our sport.
As you would be aware, in addition to competition management and insurance, individual participant fees (the Basketball Victoria Licence) cover a range of essential services and programs which we are and will continue to deliver.
Many of the ‘winter’ sports remain optimistic that there will be some form of competition during 2020 and we’re planning different scenarios for what grass-roots competitions will be once the restrictions are relaxed or lifted.
As we have an expectation that there will be some form of competition this year, and because there has been significant investment to ensure that we are ready for the resumption in 2020, we will be providing extensions on the 365-Day Basketball Victoria Licence (a one-off, annual payment – allowing any participant to play as many times as they want, wherever they want across Victoria).
Basketball Victoria will amend each eligible participant’s expiry date within our competition management and registration system (PlayHQ) to credit the period of affiliation unusable during the COVID-19 interruption. This credit will be applied from the date of resumption, as stipulated by Basketball Victoria. Participants will be eligible if any part of their 365-day membership was affected by the COVID-19 interruption.
However, as always, we will consider requests for individual refunds to those participants who are experiencing extreme hardship at any time (the individual must contact their club or association who then escalates to Basketball Victoria via a Support Ticket).
Club or Association Refunds
We understand that some clubs and/or associations would like to refund participants as soon as possible, while others are deferring this option to enable the club or association to function and be ready for a return to basketball when applicable.
The decision of refunds is at the discretion of each organisation (club/association). Basketball Victoria can support organisations by facilitating bulk refunds for those who choose to go down this path. Clubs and Association contacts have received an email (14/04/20) detailing instructions for this process.
Leagues
Our primary concern remains the health and wellbeing of the basketball community and the return of domestic basketball when it is deemed safe and appropriate. These two principles will be considered when assessing the return of representative basketball.
VJBL – postponed until May 31, next assessment / update – May 11.
Big V 2020 – postponed until May 31, next assessment / update – May 11.
NBL1 2020 – cancelled
Country Champs, U14 Skills Days and Regional Academy.
We are hoping to reschedule these tournaments, events and programs when possible, at this stage they are postponed until May 31, 2020 with the next update – May 11.
National Junior Classic
Under the current circumstances of inter-state shutdowns and indoor venue restrictions (due to COVID-19), there is considerable doubt as to whether the 2020 National Junior Classic will proceed as planned on June 6-8, 2020.
We understand the issues with interstate travel and accommodation, so we would like to give associations and teams as much notice as possible, while hoping to hold the tournament in some capacity during 2020.
We are continuing to monitor the situation, following Government advice and liaising with stakeholders.
The next decision will be made on Monday May 11, considering all event options including rescheduling and cancellation.
We will provide further updates as soon as they come to hand via the Basketball Victoria COVID-19 page.
Aussie Hoops, 3×3, Walking Basketball and NWBL
In addition to Term Two Aussie Hoops programs being cancelled, Basketball Australia recommends all Term Three Aussie Hoops programs be suspended until further notice.
Basketball Australia will not be accepting or processing Term Three registrations or participant pack orders.
All participants who have registered for a Term Two Aussie Hoops program will be entitled to a full refund as per the Aussie Hoops Refund Policy.
Additionally, the following programs below are postponed until further notice:
Walking Basketball
3X3 Community Hustle
National Wheelchair Basketball Leagues (Men’s & Women’s).
Australian Junior Championships
Basketball Australia has determined that the Under 16 Australian JuniorChampionships, scheduled to be held in Perth in July, will no longer be proceeding.
At this stage they are investigating the option of moving these championships to a different window, however this has not yet been confirmed.
We strongly recommend coaches cease training their respective teams for the Australian Junior Championship effective immediately.
We advise all teams, their families and supporters to proceed with cancelling existing travel arrangements and take advantage of credit being offered by providers.
In addition, we will be helping you all in the coming months to stay active, engaged and connected. Skills are taught on court, but perfected at home.
Remember: Champions are made when no one is watching 💪#HoopsAtHome
Basketball will be back. We’re not going anywhere.
For more information about COVID-19 and ways to keep yourself and your family protected please visit https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus