The following advice was received by Centres this afternoon, Wednesday 13 May from Ruth Stanley, Head of Community Netball.

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With New Zealand moving  to Alert Level 2 tonight, Netball NZ stresses the fact this does not mean a return to Netball activity as yet.

In light of Sport NZ today confirming that the 10-person gathering limit now applies to all community sport, Netball NZ will implement a three-phased approach return to Netball:

• Get Ready to Play
• Prepare to Play
• Return to Play

This approach is based off the Government recommendation of a considered return to community sport and is supported by all six winter codes; Netball, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Rugby League and Rugby Union.

PHASE 1
Get Ready to Play - Netball Centres can open on or after 15 May 2020 but no training is to commence.
Centres must be confident that they fully understand all Level 2 guidelines for sport and ensure that the following requirements can be met to ensure the safety of all staff.

• Centres with staff must complete a Worksafe plan
• Centres with staff must complete the Risk Assessment for returning staff and contractors form (attached and at this link  here)
• All Centres must meet Hygiene and Sanitation requirements - Hygiene and Sanitation guidance
• All Centres must meet Contact Tracing requirements (find the log here)
• All Centres must meet physical distancing requirements.

Netball NZ asks Netball Centres to adhere to a 'Get Ready to Play’ period of a minimum of two weeks, subject to further government update on numbers permitted for community sport.

With this in mind, there will be NO Netball activity, training or playing permitted during this ‘Get Ready to Play’ period.

During the ‘Get Ready’ period we recommend Centres take the time to fully understand the guidelines and plan the measures that need to be taken to ensure their facility is prepared to safely move into the Prepare to Play phase (when trainings will be permitted)

These measures include what ‘must’ be done such as contact tracing, physical distancing & hygiene and sanitation requirements.

We will release further information on these requirements early next week and the timing around when we can enter the ‘Prepare to Play’ phase, and what this looks like in regards to training.  Timings regarding when training can commence will be subject to government updates on numbers permitted for grassroots sport.

While Netball NZ is delighted that Kiwis are a step closer to retuning to netball courts around the country, it is crucial that all Centres, clubs and schools understand the requirements and are confident in implementing these to ensure the safety of all participants.  

You are our experts in delivering Netball to our participants and we believe this is a great opportunity to show our communities how Netball can lead the way for organised sport in New Zealand.   Netball New Zealand will provide detailed guidance around timeframes and the government requirements; however, Centres will be responsible to ensure that all safety requirements are met and Centres who will be held accountable if these guidelines are breached.  We need to take the time to get this right.

Once again, we thank you for your patience and understanding during this time and will provide further information on the phased approach early next week.

Find the latest guidelines (Sport New Zealand) here. 

Article added: Wednesday 13 May 2020