ACT Sport Minister Yvette Berry says a cautious approach to getting back on the field is crucial to ensuring winter competitions avoid further delays as more sports set out coronavirus "roadmaps" to restart play.
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Netball ACT published its plan to get back on the court on Wednesday, detailing safety measures and schedules from junior and senior competitions.
Junior rugby league was given the all clear to train this week while ACT rugby union clubs also restarted team-sanctioned sessions.
Some Australian football competitions in regional NSW and Victoria have already cancelled their seasons, but there is hope most, if not all, Canberra community leagues will go ahead this year.
Swimmers will be free to return to the Erindale Active Leisure Centre from Thursday, although they will be limited to two per lane for a 45-minute session.
"I've been hearing from various sports about their staged returns," Berry said. "Indoor sports will have to wait a little bit longer, but everyone is working hard to make sure we get it right. Because no body wants to be back where we were."
Netball ACT will push its junior competitions back until after November 1 while social competitions will resume on July 27. The ACT State League is slated for a return on July 17 pending government restrictions and the Capital Spirit Academy will start training from August 1.
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ACT Rugby hosted an online forum for participants on Wednesday night to update them on the Brumbies' return to training and John I Dent Cup developments.
The Brumbies are expected to start a domestic Super Rugby season on July 3, pending broadcast deal approval. Brumbies staff met with Canberra Stadium officials on Wednesday afternoon to discuss potential protocols and crowd options, but details are yet to be finalised. Canberra community rugby is hoping to begin in mid July.
"There's a volume of work going on behind the scenes," said community rugby general manager Craig Leseberg.
"The safety of communities was the fundamental consideration. The important consideration is that our framework is in step with the AIS framework for rebooting sport.
"We're at a point now when we've got absolute clarity. A number of our clubs commenced training [on Tuesday night]."
The ACT Rugby has hosted teleconference sessions to give club officials extra details, with each needing to appoint a COVID-compliance officer.
Chris Dutton
Chris Dutton has been a sport journalist since 2008, covering rugby union, rugby league, basketball, cricket and soccer. He has covered World Cups and Olympic Games in print and online. Chris has had a stint as news director, but is back in sport to follow the ups and downs. Email: chris.dutton@canberratimes.com.au
Chris Dutton has been a sport journalist since 2008, covering rugby union, rugby league, basketball, cricket and soccer. He has covered World Cups and Olympic Games in print and online. Chris has had a stint as news director, but is back in sport to follow the ups and downs. Email: chris.dutton@canberratimes.com.au
