Please continue to check the SBA website for updates.

As of May 2, 2020

Return to Sport

You may have seen the Federal Government announcement Friday evening (01/05/20) in regard to the planning for a staged return to community sport.

Included in the National Cabinet update was:

• An agreement to bring forward the review of the first phase of removing baseline restrictions on Friday, 8 May 2020.
• The consideration and endorsement of the ‘National Principles for the Resumption of Sport and Recreation Activities’.
• A ‘Framework for Rebooting Sport in a COVID-19 Environment’ was also developed by the AIS.

Please note: States and Territories are responsible for sport and recreation resumption decisions, both at the professional and community level and will determine progression through the phases, taking account of local epidemiology, risk mitigation strategies and public health capability.

In addition, we have prepared comprehensive guidelines – “BASKETBALL VICTORIA’S RETURN TO SPORT“ – in conjunction with feedback from some associations and the Medical Director for both Basketball Australia and the AFL – Dr Peter Harcourt. This document incorporates the principles and framework by the AIS and is in the final stages of review by Dr Harcourt as well as Victorian Government officials. The document refers to risk management strategies to enable a return to basketball at various levels of restriction including, the flow of traffic in and out of venues, time restrictions, compulsory cleaning, sanitisation and restrictions on players, officials and parents per court.

As new information is made available, we will provide further updates in the following few days.

Basketball Competitions, Programs, Leagues and Events

Domestic / Social Basketball

Due to stage 3 restrictions and the extension of the State of Emergency (until May 11) by the Victorian Government, the Autumn and Winter 2020 domestic basketball seasons are suspended until at least 31 May 2020. 

This date is being regularly reviewed (as per above) and updated as the impacts of the Federal and Victorian Government strategies become apparent.

As domestic basketball competitions have been impacted, it is natural that the question of refunds comes up, given the reduced opportunities to play.

Basketball Victoria Licence 

All sports across Victoria are experiencing this, and as such we have been in regular contact with the relevant sporting bodies, as we work through the best way to manage this situation for our participants, while carefully managing the financial situation of our sport.

As you would be aware, in addition to competition management and insurance, individual participant fees (the Basketball Victoria Licence) cover a range of essential services and programs which we are and will continue to deliver.

Many of the ‘winter’ sports remain optimistic that there will be some form of competition during 2020 and we’re planning different scenarios for what grass-roots competitions will be once the restrictions are relaxed or lifted.

As we have an expectation that there will be some form of competition this year, and because there has been significant investment to ensure that we are ready for the resumption in 2020, we will be providing extensions on the 365-Day Basketball Victoria Licence (a one-off, annual payment – allowing any participant to play as many times as they want, wherever they want across Victoria).

Basketball Victoria will amend each eligible participant’s expiry date within our competition management and registration system (PlayHQ) to credit the period of affiliation unusable during the COVID-19 interruption. This credit will be applied from the date of resumption, as stipulated by Basketball Victoria. Participants will be eligible if any part of their 365-day membership was affected by the COVID-19 interruption.

However, as always, we will consider requests for individual refunds to those participants who are experiencing extreme hardship at any time (the individual must contact their club or association who then escalates to Basketball Victoria via a Support Ticket).

Club or Association Refunds

We understand that some clubs and/or associations would like to refund participants as soon as possible, while others are deferring this option to enable the club or association to function and be ready for a return to basketball when applicable.

The decision of refunds is at the discretion of each organisation (club/association). Basketball Victoria can support organisations by facilitating bulk refunds for those who choose to go down this path. Clubs and Association contacts have received an email (14/04/20) detailing instructions for this process.

Leagues

Our primary concern remains the health and wellbeing of the basketball community and the return of domestic basketball when it is deemed safe and appropriate. These two principles will be considered when assessing the return of representative basketball.

VJBL – postponed until May 31, next assessment / update – May 11.

Big V 2020 – postponed until May 31, next assessment / update – May 11.

NBL1 2020 – cancelled

Country Champs, U14 Skills Days and Regional Academy. 

We are hoping to reschedule these tournaments, events and programs when possible, at this stage they are postponed until May 31, 2020 with the next update – May 11.

National Junior Classic

Under the current circumstances of inter-state shutdowns and indoor venue restrictions (due to COVID-19), there is considerable doubt as to whether the 2020 National Junior Classic will proceed as planned on June 6-8, 2020. 

We understand the issues with interstate travel and accommodation, so we would like to give associations and teams as much notice as possible, while hoping to hold the tournament in some capacity during 2020. 

We are continuing to monitor the situation, following Government advice and liaising with stakeholders. 

The next decision will be made on Monday May 11, considering all event options including rescheduling and cancellation. 

We will provide further updates as soon as they come to hand via the Basketball Victoria COVID-19 page.

Aussie Hoops, 3×3, Walking Basketball and NWBL

In addition to Term Two Aussie Hoops programs being cancelled, Basketball Australia recommends all Term Three Aussie Hoops programs be suspended until further notice. 

Basketball Australia will not be accepting or processing Term Three registrations or participant pack orders.

All participants who have registered for a Term Two Aussie Hoops program will be entitled to a full refund as per the Aussie Hoops Refund Policy. 

Additionally, the following programs below are postponed until further notice:

• Walking Basketball
• 3X3 Community Hustle
• National Wheelchair Basketball Leagues (Men’s & Women’s).

Australian Junior Championships

Basketball Australia has determined that the Under 16 Australian JuniorChampionships, scheduled to be held in Perth in July, will no longer be proceeding. 

At this stage they are investigating the option of moving these championships to a different window, however this has not yet been confirmed.

We strongly recommend coaches cease training their respective teams for the Australian Junior Championship effective immediately.

We advise all teams, their families and supporters to proceed with cancelling existing travel arrangements and take advantage of credit being offered by providers. 

 

In addition, we will be helping you all in the coming months to stay active, engaged and connected. Skills are taught on court, but perfected at home.

Remember: Champions are made when no one is watching 💪#HoopsAtHome

For more information about COVID-19 and ways to keep yourself and your family protected please visit https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus