The growth of the COVID pandemic across Greater Sydney and more recently regional New South Wales has created significant concern for the entire community as well as the schedules of Softball in Community Competitions, State Championships and Pathway activities.

Whilst dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks has become an unfortunate new norm, Softball NSW is remaining cautious and proactive at this time and will be following the most recent government updates. As such, we provide the following advice in relation to Community Competitions, State Championships and Pathway activities

NSW Government Advice (Office of Sport)

The NSW Government has implemented several changes to the Public Health Orders relating to restrictions across Greater Sydney (including Blue Mountains, Wollongong, and Central Coast).

The key changes relate to some reductions in gathering sizes at indoor facilities and controlled outdoor gatherings as well as the mandatory requirement for wearing face masks at certain locations across Greater Sydney.

There have been no changes to rules across Regional NSW.

Gathering Restrictions relating to Community Sporting Activities
The following restrictions are now in place for Greater Sydney:

• For indoor areas* in Greater Sydney, the capacity must not exceed one participant per 4 square metres of publicly accessible space (previously 1 person per 2sqm).
• Controlled, outdoor gatherings (seated, ticketed, enclosed) reduced to 2,000 people (previously 3,000).

Softball NSW View: The updated Public Health Orders and advice includes a number of new measures and return of previous measures that had been rolled back. People are still encouraged to limit non-essential gatherings and reduce their mobility where possible to further minimise the risk of transmission in the community.Softball NSW will continue to monitor the government advice and will be making relative judgements on Community Competitions, State Championships and Pathway activities.

Greater Sydney Affiliates include Campbelltown, Central Coast, Cumberland Nepean, Georges River, Hornsby, Illawarra, Macarthur, Manly Warringah, North Shore, Penrith City, Southern Districts & Sutherland Shire

Mandatory Face Masks:

From Sunday 3 January, the Public Health Order requires the use of a ‘fitted face covering’ (face mask) in a range of indoor settings across Greater Sydney.

Children aged 12 and under are exempt from wearing masks but are encouraged to wear masks where practicable.

Sport and recreation organisations that have retail operations (e.g., equipment stores, Pro shops, uniform shops etc) should note that masks are mandatory in retail premises.

Please note that a failure to comply with the mandatory face mask rules may result in fines.

To see the Public Health (COVID-19 Mandatory Face Coverings) Order 2021, please click here. To read the general rules about face masks, please click here.

Softball NSW View: Updates on the use of Face Masks during Softball related activity will be provided in the new Return to Play Guidelines.

Community Softball Advice, Return to Play Guidelines and Safety Plans

SNSW does not endorse the recommencement of any Softball related activity in Greater Sydney at this time and encourages all relative Affiliates and their members to continue to follow the current government advice. Updated advice will be provided by SNSW on January 8 in relation to this.

As mentioned earlier, with the recent advice and updates provided by government, SNSW will be updating our Return to Play Guidelines and Safety Plans templates which will be required to be updated and then implemented by all Affiliates in the coming weeks. Resources will be provided to all Affiliates.

Schedule & Possible Reschedule Advice

Having already cancelled the 2020 Under 18 State Championships due to the same issue and government advice, we are providing this update/reschedule notice pending the evolving situation. As always, SNSW considers the health and safety of our community paramount and will continue to follow the government advice provided.

At present, the schedule of these events and activities is being reviewed due to the growth of the COVID-19 pandemic across several communities in which our membership are impacted both directly and indirectly. Pending further government advice, the below details may change.

SNSW will continue to provide opportunities for these activities and events to be rescheduled throughout 2021.

The scheduled and possible reschedule of activities of January and February are.

N.B Softball NSW continues to maintain our position that events/training/trials are deemed as a non-essential activity and are not endorsed.

2021 Under 16 State Camp

The first activity to be rescheduled is the Under 16 State Camp which was scheduled for 12-14 January at Blacktown International Sportspark. This pathway program is now rescheduled to 13-14 February, with the venue to be advised. All camp accepters will be provided with the details of this rescheduled activity on Wednesday January 13, inclusive of the venue.

2021 Under 23 State Championships

For reasons already mentioned, SNSW will be rescheduling the 2021 Under 23 State Championships until February 12-14 at Blacktown International Sportspark. All nominated teams will be contacted to confirm their entry.

Government Advice & Keeping the Community Safe

SNSW strongly advises all of our community to regularly review the government advice in relation to the latest COVID venues across NSW: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/latest-news-and-updates

Further to this we also urge our community to undertake testing if they have visited any of the above venues during the specified times: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics

More Information

Updates on this information will occur frequently throughout this time and any questions in relation to this advice please contact Daniel Rushworth via ceo@softballnsw.org.au

Download Memo: January 5: Community Competitions, State Championships & Pathways Advice