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Basketball WA is pleased to confirm that community basketball training can resume in a limited capacity indoors in groups no more than 20 with no contact from Monday, May 18, 2020 in Western Australia.

This encouraging step towards the full return of basketball in WA has been made possible by the easing of social distancing restrictions and group gatherings, as announced on Sunday by WA Premier Mark McGowan.

Under the State Government’s COVID-19 WA Road Map, 18 May represents the date that Phase 2 conditions will be applied to WA communities, which will allow for a return to non-contact indoor training.  However, it is critical to understand that training during this phase is limited to one group of 20 per indoor venue. The WA Government COVID Safety Plan – Sport and Recreation outlines this requirement HERE which also outlines allowed usage of outdoor courts.  See also the basketball in WA return to play ROAD MAP.

We have included a CHECKLIST for associations to complete before they consider beginning training and we need to make sure that all hygiene and social distancing protocols are met in everything we do.  Over the coming days all Associations in WA will need to start their planning and preparation if they seek to return to training from 18 May. This will include clarification on the number of spaces in your venue where there are multiple rooms. We are working with the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries to provide more guidance on this.  Associations should also complete the WA Government’s COVID Safety Plan before they can recommence any basketball activities.

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

It is also important to note that although a return to non-contact training in small groups will be permitted, it is still expected to be some time before basketball returns to play, with a number of Government restrictions required to be lifted before this occurs.

DOMESTIC COMPETITIONS 
Domestic competitions remain suspended.  Domestic Competitions should be able to return under set conditions and protocols once Western Australia enters into Phase 3 of the WA Government COVID-19 roadmap.  It is hoped that this will be in mid-June, but once the government has announced this date, we will confirm this timeframe with Associations and ensure they receive appropriate advice.  Further safety protocols will be provided at that point in time, so that we can progress further with basketball training and competition.

SBL COMPETITION AND DIVISION 1
The SBL and Division 1 2020 seasons have been cancelled.  A return to competition with any spectators will not be allowed in Western Australia until Phase 4 of the WA Government COVID-19 roadmap and there is no indication of this being able to occur before at least September.  In this case, after ongoing consultation with the Clubs, it has been decided to cancel the season that had been planned and fixtured for 2020.

Basketball WA will however, work with the Associations in the coming weeks to determine what type of competition can be run for this group of players.  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.

WABL COMPETITION
To safely and effectively run a WABL competition Basketball WA believe that we need to be able to effectively operate at a capacity that allows multiple games at the same venue with squads of 10 players.  Once again, we will be guided by government as to when this can occur, but our current expectation is that the WABL competition will be able to commence on the final weekend of the July School Holidays.  We will do everything we can to work with government at State and local level and our Associations to make this happen.

PMBL
PMBL is now scheduled to recommence a new season on Monday 20 July 2020 and we will work with teams towards this goal.

BWA HIGH PERFORMANCE/DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
All BWA High Performance and Development programs (i.e. FDP, ETP and Hotshots) will begin to roll out when we enter Phase 3 of the WA Government COVID-19 Roadmap, as we understand what is allowed during this phase.

AUSSIE HOOPS
BWA is negotiating with Basketball Australia to enable the re-start of Aussie Hoops programs.  It is expected that Aussie Hoops Local Centres will be able to start accepting registrations from as early as next week, with a maximum of 20 people per session and with session activities conducted strictly in accordance with Basketball WA’s indoor training protocols. Further advice will be provided direct to Aussie Hoops Local Centres as soon as the registration portal has been re-opened.

FACE TO FACE EDUCATION SESSIONS
Any face-to-face education session will be allowed from 18 May in groups of 20 or less and in line with strict hygiene and social distancing protections.

The State Government will be responsible for guiding basketball’s progression through Basketball WA’s Return to Sport Guidelines and will make the final decision on when it is safe to take the next steps towards full contact training and competition.

We will be ready to go as soon as the green light is given, knowing what an important role basketball plays in connecting communities right across our State.

We thank everyone involved with basketball for helping to slow the spread of COVID-19 and being so patient.  Your ongoing support, patience 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 training.

SUMMARY OF KEY CONDITIONS:

• Training can be completed in groups no larger than 20.
• All training is to remain non-contact.
• Only one group is allowed to train at any one time per functional space.
• Basketballs are permitted. Shared training equipment is not.
• Strict hygiene protocols need to be followed.
• Social distancing rules still apply.
• NO access to change rooms, gym or other rooms.
• Associations must complete the WA Government’s COVID Safety Plan online checklist.
• Associations must make contact with their Local Government or landlord.
• Basketball WA recommends the use of the Federal Government’s CovidSafe app for all participants.

14 MAY 2020
END

Download: 14052020 MEDIA RELEASE-RETURN TO SPORT UPDATE FINAL