Suncorp Super Netball + Deakin University Australian Netball League Seasons On Hold
March 23rd, 4:24pm
The 2020 Suncorp Super Netball season has been deferred as part of wider efforts to protect the health and wellbeing of fans, athletes, staff and the broader community.
The decision was made by the Super Netball League Commission (SNLC) taking into account the latest COVID-19 medical and government advice.
Given the rapidly-evolving landscape, the Commission has determined that the start of the season will be deferred and will not commence prior to 30 June.
The SNLC will review the situation before the end of May and, based on the latest medical advice and government regulation, will determine whether the season start date should be extended out further.
Club training will be suspended, and Suncorp Super Netball league management will work with clubs and the Australian Netball Players’ Association in relation to international and interstate-based athletes returning home. It is entirely understandable that there are several athletes that would like to return home to family at this time.
Separately, Netball Australia has determined that the Deakin University Australian Netball League season will also be delayed and will not commence prior to 30 June.
Netball is committed to playing its role to ensure we slow the spread of the virus and to finding ways that we can keep our communities healthy and connected.
Netball Australia is working with the nations involved in the 2020 Quad Series and Constellation Cup to determine what the approach will be in relation to these matches, which were due to take place in September and October respectively. Further information will be communicated in relation to these tournaments once decisions have been made.
A Frequently Asked Questions document has been compiled - click here to view.
Netball Australia and NETFIT Partnership Announcement
March 18th, 4:55pm
Netball Australia CEO Marne Fechner and NETFIT Netball CEO Sarah Wall announce a partnership which will see netball fans receive live and free online netball workouts and programs. Netball Australia has announced it will partner with netball fitness organisation NETFIT Netball to deliver live and free online netball workouts and programs to netballers.
The initiative follows the federal government’s announcement that all non-essential indoor meetings of more than 100 people would be banned while the ban on outdoor meetings would stand at 500. The collaboration will see the netball community get free access to live online work-outs delivered by elite netballers, as well as health, fitness, nutrition and wellbeing sessions until the end of April.
Netball Australia CEO Marne Fechner said netball is excited to partner with NETFIT to bring netball activity to the Australian community in unprecedented circumstances.
“The wellbeing of netballers across Australia is paramount and, after a meeting with all netball’s state and territory member organisations, there was a consensus that measures needed to be put in place to ensure the health and safety of Australian netballers, and the wider community.”
“As we see more netball competitions postpone activity due to COVID-19, it’s important we take a proactive approach to keeping our netball communities around Australia active and engaged with the sport.”
“We have admired the work that Sarah and the NETFIT Netball team has been doing, she is a great role model for our sport and we’re delighted to be partnering with NETFIT to ensure netballers of all ages can access online netball workouts and training sessions to participate from wherever they’re able to.”
NETFIT Netball was founded by former Australian netball star Sarah Wall and provides an online netball program that includes fitness videos, plans and coaching drills designed to encourage and inspire netballers of all ages. Wall said they wanted to create a solution for the community to remain safe, healthy, active and still feel connected during this time.
“The beauty of these workouts and classes are that you can run through our full range of services throughout the day or pick what suits you best. NETFIT's goal is to create a vibrant and safe fitness, wellbeing and lifestyle activation to netballer’s around the world.”
“We’re thrilled that Netball Australia has supported this vision to ensure that Australia’s number one participation sport for women and girls remains at the forefront of innovation in sport especially during these times that we're currently experiencing.”
Sport Australia’s General Manager Sport Business Andrew Larratt supported the initiative.
“In these unprecedented times, when we are discussing things like social distancing and self-isolation, it’s still incredibly important to find ways to remain active for your physical and mental health,” Larratt said.
“Sport Australia encourages everyone to find at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day, but right now people may be looking for alternative ways to do that. Netball Australia’s partnership with NETFIT is a good innovative example that can engage with active communities in their own homes and I’d encourage other sports to explore ways to help people stay active.”
The free NETFIT activity will be available online from Monday 23 March for six weeks. For more information and to sign up, please go to www.netfitnetball.com.au. Earlier today, Netball Australia and the Member Organisation CEO’s agreed to defer all community netball, with specific dates to be determined by each state organisation.
Community Netball
March 18th, 4:45pm
Community netball is being deferred across the country following discussions between Netball Australia and state-based Member Organisations, with return to play dates to be announced independently by each state or territory organisation. The move follows the Federal Government’s announcement of a ban of non-essential indoor gatherings of more than 100 people to help minimise the impact of COVID-19 in Australia.
Netball Australia CEO Marne Fechner said the decision was difficult but in the best interests of Australia’s more than one million grassroots netballers.
“The wellbeing of netballers across Australia is paramount and there was consensus this morning with respect to deferring community netball to ensure the health and safety of the netball and the wider communities,” she said.
“The entire nation is facing unprecedented circumstances as we navigate COVID-19 and deferring community netball was a sensible decision, albeit a challenging one. Netball Australia will continue to monitor the situation as it evolves.
“We will now focus on providing alternative ways for netball to thrive and for netballers to continue enjoying the benefits of the sport over the coming months.”
National Netball Championships Cancelled
March 14th, 11:02am
Based on the expert medical advice of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, endorsed by Commonwealth, State and Territory governments, that organised public gatherings of more than 500 people be cancelled to reduce transmission of COVID-19 in Australia, Netball Australia will not proceed with the annual 17&U and 19&U National Netball Championships due to take place in Hobart from 18-23 April.
Given the nature of the event, and after extensive consultation with medical experts and relevant stakeholders, Netball Australia made the decision not to proceed with the tournament, which would bring together teams from all states and territories.
Netball Australia CEO Marne Fechner said the health of the Australian netball and wider community is paramount and that Netball Australia continues to work closely with state and territory Member Organisations in relation to community and grassroots netball.
“It was an incredibly difficult decision not to proceed with the National Netball Championships, especially knowing how much preparation by the athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers goes into this event. It is however prudent that we do everything we can to reduce the spread of the virus,” she said.
“In relation to community netball, we are working with Member Organisations, government organisations and medical professionals to determine the best approach and we will release guidelines to support community netball organisations across Australia in the coming days.
Until then we encourage all community netball organisations to demonstrate caution in line with government recommendations that everyone should practise good hygiene to protect against infections.”
Netball Australia will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation as it evolves in relation to the upcoming Deakin University Australian Netball League season, due to start on Saturday 2 May. Netball Australia has confirmed that the cancellation of the National Netball Championships does not mean that all netball events and competitions should be cancelled, however, caution in line with government recommendations should be exercised.
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