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STAGE 3 – 6 JUNE 2020
DOMESTIC COMPETITION & CONTACT TRAINING TO BEGIN

Basketball WA is pleased to confirm that community basketball competition and full-contact training can resume under our Stage 3 (Orange – 24) guidelines and protocols from Saturday 6 June 2020 in Western Australia.

An updated version of the WA Basketball Return to Sport Guidelines and Return to Play Road Map can be found on our website. There is also a clear and concise understanding of the guidelines and protocols for this Stage. All of our documents are updated and can be found on our website HERE.

This encouraging step further towards the full return of all basketball programs in WA has been made possible by the easing of social distancing restrictions and group gatherings, as announced on Friday, 29 May 2020 by WA Premier Mark McGowan. Under the State Government’s COVID-19 WA Road Map, 6 June represents the date that Phase 3 conditions will be applied to WA communities, which will allow for a return to competitive sport. However, it is critical to understand that indoor training and competition during this phase is limited to 100 people per undivided space (and 300 per venue in total). For the duration of the governments Phase 3 restrictions Basketball WA has set the Orange-24 standard for the number of people allowed per court to ensure that we can manage the return to competition slowly and safely.

Over the coming days all Associations in WA will need to further their planning and preparation if they seek to return to competition from 8 June. This includes the need to have a Biosafety Officer for every four courts in use at all times that competition is taking place.

It is important that everyone involved with community basketball in Western Australia clearly understands the requirements for a safe return to competition, so that basketball continues contributing to positive community health outcomes, while also increasing the possibility of a full return to all basketball programs soon.

It is also important to note that although a return to domestic competition and contact training in small groups will be permitted, it is still expected to be some time before basketball tournaments can restart, with a number of Government restrictions required to be lifted before this occurs. The State Government has indicated that it will be at least another 4 weeks before Phase 4 would be considered, which would be the earliest that these activities could be contemplated for basketball.

Our expectation remains that the WABL competition will be able to commence on the final weekend of the July School Holidays (July 19). We will do everything we can to work with government at State and local level and our Associations to make this happen. Basketball WA continues to work with the Associations in the coming weeks to determine what type of competition can be run for the group of players effected by the cancellation of the SBL and Division 1 competitions in 2020. Basketball WA has every intention of providing the opportunity for this group of players to compete at some level in 2020 and we will be guided by government and Associations in when and how we will be able to do this.

All BWA High Performance and Development programs (i.e. FDP, ETP and Hotshots) will now begin to roll out from June 8. Aussie Hoops Local Centres in Western Australia are able to run with session activities conducted strictly in accordance with Basketball WA’s indoor training protocols.

We thank everyone involved with basketball for helping to slow the spread of COVID-19 and being so patient. Your ongoing support and understanding, as we work through this process, is greatly appreciated. Further updates will be provided as soon as they become available.

In the meantime, please look after yourself, your family and everyone involved with your basketball community and ensure that you follow the protocols for your return to competition and full training.

SUMMARY OF KEY CONDITIONS:

• Training can be completed in groups no larger than 24 but contact is now allowed.
• Competitions can begin under the Basketball WA Return to Sport Guidelines – Stage 3 (Orange 24).
• No more than 100 people are allowed in any one undivided space at any one time with no more than 300 people in a venue in total.
• Strict hygiene protocols need to be followed.
• Social distancing rules must apply.
• Associations should make contact with their Local Government or landlord to confirm Phase 3 arrangements at their venue.
• Basketball WA recommends the use of the Federal Government’s CovidSafe app for all participants.

30 MAY 2020
END

Download – 30 May 2020 – MEDIA RELEASE