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BASKETBALL UPDATE 17 MARCH 2020
BASKEBALL SUSPENDED IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID19)

We would like to re-assure the Basketball WA community that we are closely monitoring the updates regarding the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) from the Government of Western Australia’s Department of Health, as well as Basketball Australia, the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and Sport Australia to assess the current situation of the Coronavirus and its impact on local sporting activities.

Yesterday, Monday 16 March, the Western Australian State Government has declared a State of Emergency in response to this pandemic.

We understand that basketball is a large part of many people’s lives, however our current priority is to make decisions that ensure the health and wellbeing of all players, coaches, officials, staff, volunteers and all of our families are maintained.

At this stage, Basketball Western Australia has decided to suspend all sanctioned activities, programs and events until April 27, being the end of the Western Australian School Holidays. We have been listening to the queries of the public and our community and offer the following clarifications below:

DOMESTIC COMPETITIONS AND TRAINING
Domestic competitions and basketball activities including training should be suspended from today until April 27. Updated information will be provided in coming weeks.

SBL COMPETITION
BWA has taken the decision (in consultation with all clubs) to suspend the SBL 2020 season until at least the weekend of 29 May 2020. The BWA Board and the SBL Commission will review prior to this date whether the competition can continue in any format, structure and under what rules.

DIVISION 1 COMPETITION
In line with decision regarding the SBL Competition, the Division 1 Competition has been postponed until the weekend of 29 May 2020. BWA will liaise with clubs in the coming weeks about the format that any competition may take in 2020 and further updates will be provided.

WABL COMPETITION
BWA has made the decision to review the commencement or otherwise of the season after the Easter break. The current starting date is not until late April and this gives BWA and the clubs the time to review the situation closer to the start date. Clubs will be provided at least 2 weeks’ notice of further delays to the competition with updates being provided on a weekly basis.

PMBL
PMBL is suspended until April 27. Updated information will be provided in coming weeks.

BWA HIGH PERFORMANCE/DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
All BWA High Performance and Development programs (ie FDP, ETP and Hotshots) are postponed until April 27 with regular updates to be provided.

AUSSIE HOOPS
The Aussie Hoops program in Western Australia is suspended for the duration of Term 1. Further updates will continue to be provided on a weekly basis. In addition, Term 2 Registrations are currently suspended pending further information.

FACE TO FACE EDUCATION SESSIONS
Any face-to-face education session, is suspended until April 27. Updated information will be provided in coming weeks.

While Basketball WA will continue to provide updates, the Basketball community is also urged to remain informed about Coronavirus (Covid-19) by the following key sources of information:

More Information:
Basketball Australia Statement Regarding Coronavirus
ais.gov.au/health-wellbeing/covid-19
www.health.gov.au/health-topics/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov
healthywa.wa.gov.au

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Media Release Basketball Suspended in WA – Update 17 MARCH UPDATE