Covid-19 Update - June 2

Dear members,

As you are no doubt aware, the Queensland Government brought forward Stage 2 of the Relaxation of Restriction yesterday and as such, Basketball Queensland have lifted their Statewide ban on training.  This however will be implemented in different ways around the state based on each Associations particular circumstances.  The following information will include:

• Basketball Queensland’s Release

• What Stage-2 means for Seahawks

• Information of a change to our annual season structure

• Proposed dates for return to play for our junior and senior competitions

BQ RELEASE

Basketball Queensland (BQ) has today lifted the state-wide suspension on organised basketball training sessions (non-contact only), following the State Government’s announcement that Stage 2 of easing restrictions has been brought forward.

From midday, 1 June Queenslanders were able to resume indoor, non-contact community sports, though a maximum limit of 20 people per stadium will apply (this limit includes coaches, parents/caregivers and venue staff).

With Stage 2 Restrictions taken into consideration, the resumption of training will be at the discretion of each individual association.

BQ is continuing to work closely with Sport and Recreation Queensland and the Health Department to increase the limit of people permitted per stadium to a per court figure, to assist with more associations reopening.

In the meantime, our associations who are able to reopen their venue/s, can do so under strict guidelines, in line with the directives from the Health Department and the BQ ‘Return to Basketball’ guidelines to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our basketball community.

These guidelines include:

• Designating specific entry and exit points to assist with the movement of people around the venue

• A biosecurity officer to be appointed at each venue to ensure State Government COVID-19 restrictions are complied with

• An adequate supply of hand sanitiser and other cleaning material

• Ability to maintain an attendance record of all entrants to the venue, including the collection of contact details

Before attending your first training session back, we ask that all participants familiarise themselves with the guidelines set out in our ‘Return to Training for Participants’ document.

These guidelines include, but are not limited to:

• Maintaining social distancing at all times • Arrive prepared to train (prepare, shower, and change for training at home)

• Arrive no more than 10 minutes before training and use the designated entry and exit points around the venue

• Wash or sanitise your hands before and after training

• Participants are encouraged to bring their own drink bottle and towel, all clearly labelled. (do not share)

Once at training, all participants must always follow the directions of the appointed biosecurity officer at your venue.

Please refer to your association website for information regarding specific return to training dates when they become available.

WHAT STAGE-2 MEANS FOR SEAHAWKS

We are limited by our venues as to when we can resume basketball activities.  At present Gold Coast City Council are not planning to open any venues until Stage-3.  This reopening could be limited to being at Carrara only until it reaches capacity.  In addition to this, schools are not yet permitted to hire their facilities to outside users.

The other factor to consider for a return to representative training is managing each team’s allocated training budget to ensure training only begins once we know we can cover the amount of time required to complete their season’s should they still go ahead.

CHANGE OF SEASON STRUCTURE & JUNIOR AGE GROUPS

The Covid-19 shutdown afforded us the opportunity to fast track a review on our season structure.  Following a member survey and robust discussion at Board level it has been decided that North Gold Coast Seahawks will shift their season’s to a format where both senior and junior domestic competition season’s are played within the calendar year.  “Season 1” will be played from the beginning of the year through to mid-year (in-line with school terms 1 & 2), and “Season 2” being played from July through to the end of the year (school terms 3 & 4).

The age groups for juniors have also changed.  We are switching to odd-numbered age groups i.e. U7, U9, U11 etc.  The cutoff date for both competition seasons will be Dec 31st.

PROPOSED COMPETITION DAYS

Due to additional requirements in scheduling to be Covid Safe, we will have to spread to competition over more days.  We are planning on the following age groups to be played on the corresponding days.

Note that this may have to be refined dependant on the number of team entries received.

Monday – U13 Boys & U13 Girls, Superleague Girls

Thursday – U15 Boys

Saturday – U7 Mixed, U9 & U11 Boys & Girls

Sunday – U17 & U23 Boys

PROPOSED SEASON DATES

With our return to play being the beginning of a new competition season we are aiming for a return to play from the week commencing Monday 27th July.  This allows time for those yet to register to do so and for clubs to get organised for the new season (formation of teams, uniform sales etc.)  This date is fluid as it is reliant on further government relaxations but if things continue as they have been we are confident that we’ll be on court again as per these calendars.

U7 Term 3 Mini-Ball Season

U9-U23 2020 Season 2

Senior Domestic Competition

JUNIOR REGISTRATIONS

At present all member registration forms across Queensland have been disabled.  Basketball Queensland and SportsTG are looking to have these open again on or around June 15th.  Once open, we very much need all members wishing to take part to register.  You should also stay tuned to your Club for information about registration deadlines, potential trials and uniform sales.

Check these registration links on or around June 15th.  We will also provide an update when these registration forms are active.

SENIOR TEAM NOMINATION

We need all senior teams to complete their Team Nominations right away in order to plan for the upcoming season.  Senior Team Nominations can be completed right now.