Canberra's contact sporting competitions are in danger of being delayed again, with ACT chief health officer Dr Kerryn Coleman set to decide their fate just two days before they were scheduled to start.
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Four new positive COVID-19 cases forced Coleman and the government to pause its coronavirus recovery plan, including the proposed start date for winter sports to resume.
AFL Canberra, ACT Rugby Union and Capital Football clubs had hoped to play trial matches this weekend before the official beginning of their competitions on July 18.
Basketball ACT were planning to relaunch their competitions on Monday night and a rejigged Canberra rugby league competition was expected to start on July 25.
All of those plans are now in Coleman's hands, who decided to delay stage three of the recovery plan scheduled for Friday. Coleman says she will reassess the delay in a week, which would give competitions two days notice before starting.
The ACT is currently in stage 2.2 and restrictions will remain the same until the coming fortnight's review.
"If anything is happening this weekend then no [it can't go ahead]," Coleman said when asked about contact sports.
"I will be conducting a small check point on Thursday of next week noting that this is just one small activity of the suite and we might be able to provide some clarity around that.
"It's about looking at the balance between the level of risk they each individually pose and also the impact they have on society and the economy.
"I think that progressing to competitive sport or social and community sports, is actually a small step and a small increase in risk.
"I think we could look at activities that pose a very small increase in risk but are a big community gain. That is why that would be the first one we consider."
Hockey ACT is still free to start its competitions from Friday night and Netball ACT will push ahead next week because both are deemed non-contact sports.
Capital Football will meet with club presidents on Friday to discuss options for the season. Queanbeyan teams are able to play trial matches because of different NSW restrictions, giving them a headstart on their Canberra rivals.
"It's understandable given what's happened in Victoria and the ACT in the past week. Our competition schedule is meant to start next week in any case, so we're continuing with planning with the thought that we might need to make adjustments depending on what comes out next Thursday," said Capital Football boss Phil Brown.
"What we are confident in, is that we've done an enormous amount of planning, reviews and consultations with our clubs and engaged consistently with the ACT government throughout.
"The one thing I'm confident in is that plans have been put in place to consider the health and safety of our participants which is the number one thing and continues to be the most important factor.
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"The decision on Thursday next week will allow us to play games that weekend which have already been scheduled and planned for. If the decision is to defer them then we'll defer. The work in the background to get the format of the competition up and running has been done."
Basketball ACT sent a message to members on Thursday night, saying: "In line with the recent announcement by the ACT government, and Basketball ACT's duty of care and safety to all members, the commencement of the 2020 senior social winter competition has unfortunately been pushed back to 27 July 2020.
"While this is a disappointing development, BACT will continue to liaise with the ACT government as to how the next phase will affect our competitions and members, and ensure compliance and adherence to required protocols. BACT will provide advice to teams surrounding confirmed commencement dates and protocols, accordingly."
Major competitions had already reduced the length of their seasons and another two-week delay could force an entire cancellation if they are unable to begin next weekend.
Four Canberra rugby league teams withdrew from the 2020 season because of financial constraints, leaving the Queanbeyan Blues, Gungahlin Bulls and Woden Rams to be joined by the Canberra Raiders under-20s side. Competition organisers have decided to drop the "Canberra Raiders Cup" moniker this year because the competition was "null and void" after so many teams withdrew.
"By renaming the Cup for this season to the CRRL Cup, it acknowledges that the competition for 2020 is a totally amateur competition and that there is changed circumstances for the season," CRRL chairman Gary Green said.
"In many ways, the players will be playing in a unique competition in extraordinary circumstances and the CRRL and rugby league appreciate their commitment to the game itself."
The ACT Rugby Union had planned for a 10-week home-and-away season before finals, starting from next weekend. Several teams had scheduled trial matches this weekend to get ready for the season-opener, but those have been cancelled.
There is a bye week in the middle of the regular season, which will give organisers some flexibility should Coleman decide to delay the next phase of the recovery plan.
"Ultimately we're waiting, but we're confident if everything goes well we'll be right to start," said competitions manager Mat Vowles.
CANBERRA SPORT PROPOSED DATES
July 10: Hockey ACT
July 17: Netball ACT
July 18: Capital Football, ACT Rugby Union, AFL Canberra
July 25: Canberra Rugby League
July 27: Basketball ACT
Lucie Bertoldo
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
