The majority of Canberra sporting competitions are expected to proceed as per program this weekend, despite clarification still being sought around the latest COVID-19 guidelines from NSW Health.
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AFL NSW/ACT has instructed its clubs to proceed with regular fixturing this weekend, while the Canberra Region Rugby League will do the same after liaising with NSWRL.
Capital Football spent most of Thursday in discussion with the ACT Government, and are also expected to host a full book of fixtures barring the NPL 2 match between ANU and Yoogali which is likely to be postponed. The under-23s fixture between those two clubs would also be postponed.
Government advice strongly discourages overnight visits, which would force Yoogali players to make an eight-hour road trip should they be required to take the field against ANU.
That ruling is not expected to effect Wagga City Wanderers who play Canberra White Eagles in the same competition on Saturday.
Their NPLW side are also still playing reigning champs Belconnen United at Hawker on Saturday.
Those Wagga teams are still faced with a five-hour road trip.
Updated COVID-19 guidelines issued by the NSW Government on Monday threatened to throw community sport into chaos due to the document's ambiguous phrasing.
It stated that sporting codes must: "Cease activities that result in the mixing of participants and staff from different regions, for example by ceasing zone, regional or state championships or competitions".
Asked to clarify the latest guidelines at a media conference on Thursday morning, acting sports minister, Dr Geoff Lee, said:
"Our priority is firstly to keep the community safe, that's number one, I'd love to see community sport continue but of course we have to comply by the health guidance.
"We told the state sporting organisations that community sport would be limited to existing local club competitions which makes a lot of sense. We have 95 major sports throughout NSW, we want to limit the spread from region to region, it makes a lot of sense to limit it to existing local club competitions."
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant expanded on Lee's comments, suggesting there could be further updates to the guidelines.
"This will be a continual process," Chant said.
"The COVID safety plan identifies the other practical steps that community sport have to have in place, which is limiting numbers on the sidelines, just making sure that the activities surrounding community sport are also done in COVID safe ways.
"Our advice will be refined as the risk parameters change. I recognise how important community sport is, it's great to see people out there physically active and also we know how important it is to community cohesiveness."
MORE CANBERRA SPORT
Most Canberra sporting competitions involve NSW teams.
AFL Canberra has had to cull Batemans Bay Seahawks from their lower grade competitions after recent virus flare ups in the region.
Canberra sides refused to play the Seahawks, who have therefore not played a single match in the competition this season.
A letter was sent to leagues and clubs on Thursday from AFL NSW/ACT which encouraged play to continue.
"Since receiving the updated advice, AFL NSWACT has been working closely with Sport NSW, our fellow major winter sport colleagues and NSW Health officials in the past 48 hours to clarify the high-level principles and their desired application for community sporting competitions," it said.
"Whilst we work through the practical implementation of the new recommendations, in particular as it relates to minimising travel, we will proceed with this weekend's fixture as scheduled right across the State," it said.
"As evidenced throughout the 2020 Community football Season, we remain committed to prioritising the health and safety of our participants, volunteers and officials.
"We will continue to provide regular updates whilst we work through these new recommendations in the coming days."
Should advice change in the coming weeks, Canberra sporting leagues have stated they are prepared to act accordingly although whether that would involve culling more regional teams remains to be seen.
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
