Community Sport to set up for resumption next month
Published Fri 15 May 2020
State sporting organisations are not expected to endorse or sanction their local clubs and regional affiliates organising sporting activity, including trraining, this coming weekend under Stage 1 easing of COVID-19 restrictions outlined in the Queensland Roadmap released last Friday by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
Discussions in recent days between the major representative body for organised affiliated sport in Queensland and State Government sport and recreation agency and health authorities have confirmed commitment to the intensions of the Roadmap's staged return to play for sport across the State.
QSport, in its role as the peak body for the sport sector, yesterday briefed 70 member State sporting organisations' delegates on the way forward towards the resumption of organised sporting activity when Stage 2 easing of restrictions kicks in on 12 June.
State Minister for Sport Mick de Brenni's appointed Return to Play advisory group, acting on advice from the Chief Health Officer, has ruled out support for groups of up to 10 being organised by sporting bodies obviating the intent of the Stage 1 easing from this weekend, concerned about the real possibility of breakdown of social distancing leading to larger gathering eventuating at venues and in the wider community.
QSport CEO Peter Cimmiskey, a member of Minister de Brenni's Return to Play advisory group, said the past few days had seen some querying of what Stage 1 means which was not altogether suprising, given some were keen to get back into their sports after weeks of not being able to do so.
"While we understand the desire to return as soon as possible, resumption needs to be done properly with adequate preparations by sporting bodies that take account of the requirement to observe the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions."
"The Roadmap enables sport's resumption from Stage 2, not Stage 1, other than for a limited number of exemptions, and over the next week or so, State and local level administrators will work through guidelines being provided on how to resume, what needs to be done and optimise the chances of a safe experience for their participants and the wider community."
"Unnecessary and unwanted escalation of risk will accompany any premature, not properly planned for resumption - undesirable for players, clubs and their sports if breaches against the spirit and intent of the easing of the restrictions turn up in sport."
"So structured, club organised training in the next few weeks is no on. That's for Stage 2."
For further information, contact the QSport CEO Peter Cummiskey on 0418 185 008 or peter@qsport.org.au
