Return to Sport – 22 November Update

Dear Members,

The following is a Return to Sport Update regarding changes to the Victorian Government’s Open Premises (OPDs) and Mandatory Vaccination Directions relating to individuals aged between 12 years and 2-months to 15 years old.

With Victoria about to reach 90 per cent double dose (12 plus) vaccination rate, the Victorian Government recently announced a further easing of restrictions for Phase D of the Roadmap: Delivering the National Plan.

Our previous policy for Vaccination Requirements – Basketball Victoria Operated Leagues, Events and Activities has now been updated to comply with the above directions requiring individuals aged over 12 years and-2-months who attend any Basketball Victoria Operated Leagues, Events and Activities to be fully vaccinated.

In an effort to maintain operational consistency for our operated leagues (VJBL and CBL as well as training or try-outs for NBL1 South and Big V), events, tournaments, programs, camps or clinics across all venues and to encourage a safe environment, Basketball Victoria are requiring all individuals aged over 12-and-2-months to be fully vaccinated (unless medically exempt) to participate. This includes players, coaches, technical officials, spectators, volunteers or staff attending a venue for these events.

This policy was introduced following an audit of VJBL and CBL venues that showed more than 65 per cent of venues were unable to offer the Community Sport Exemption due to the layout, operation or usage of their venues.
 
The audit of the 79 venues used for VJBL showed 167 courts of a possible 252 courts (66%) had vaccination mandates from the venue operators, meaning that having a consistent approach to VJBL operations is important. With venues updating their vaccination policies to include individuals over 12 yrs and 2 months, Basketball Victoria will now implement the same policy for our operated leagues, events and activities.

Each venue where a Basketball Victoria operated activity is held is required to have a COVID Check-In Marshal to assist with venue entry. Every patron (12-and-2-months or older) will be required to check in via the venue QR Code and their smart-phone and will need to show their green tick via the Services Victoria App.

Our current Return to Sport Guidelines are available to download via the button at the end of this email.

For information about Victorian COVIDSafe settings as they impact community sport, physical recreation and vaccination status visit the Coronavirus Victoria website.

Best Regards,

Nick Honey
Basketball Victoria
Chief Executive Officer