With the long awaited announcement confirmed that community sport can recommence on July 1 (see press release below), NSWRU and the Shute Shield Clubs will now be working together to finalise how the season will look, there is still lots to discuss, with regards to teams, length of season, crowds, and a number of safety measures to put in place before we can offically kick off the 2020 season, however this news is extremely positive and we are looking forward to getting back out on the footy field! We will keep you all updated as soon as we have more clarity on the situation.
Press Release
Geoff Lee – Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education, Acting Minister for Sport, Multiculturalism, Seniors and Veterans
Brad Hazzard – Minister for Health and Medical Research
Adult community sport can recommence at the same time as 18 years and under from the start of next month, as the NSW Government lifts more COVID-19 restrictions. Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee thanked the community for their patience during the pause on local sports and welcomed its return on July 1.
“Sport is the lifeblood of our community and it gives me great pleasure to say adult sports can return to their competitions at the same time as 18 years and under,” Mr Lee said.
“We have reduced the spread of COVID-19 to the point where further restrictions can be lifted. It is only because communities have followed the strict social distancing guidelines that this announcement is possible.”
Food and drink premises in stadiums can open subject to the same requirements that apply in other food and drink premises and pubs and registered clubs.
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said, on the basis of health advice, crowds could not at this point gather in the stands. “Today’s announcement is about a staged re-opening of the sports economy in a way that minimises the risk to the public. This makes a level playing field for sports stadiums, in line with the clubs and pubs re-opening to patrons,” Mr Hazzard said.
‘‘With no vaccine and no treatment for COVID-19 there is an obligation on all of us to continue to maintain physical distancing and good hand hygiene. The virus has not gone away.”
Stadium operators will be required to:
Develop and comply with a COVID-19 safety management plan;
Operate with restricted numbers (One person per four square metres and up to 50 people in each of the existing seated food and drinks areas, whichever is the lesser excluding staff members, on the premises.); and
Keep contact details of persons entering the premises.