COVID-19 Hockey South Australia Statement

Update: 4.45pm

Dear Hockey Community,

Firstly, thank you for feedback in relation to your clubs and associations position in relation to COVID-19 in the last 24 hours.  Please continue to keep the dialogue open with further feedback, comments and questions. We do ask that the feedback is coordinated and that it comes ONLY from a Club President or Secretary rather than individual players/coaches/parents from each club. This will assist all sides to have a coordinated and consistent approach to all inbound and outbound communications.

The purpose of this communication is to provide an update about the following matters:

• U15 and U18 National Championships
• Men’s & Women’s National Masters Championships
• Current Hockey South Australia activities including the 2020 Winter Season, Country Championships & Zone Championships. 

U15 and U18 National Championships

Earlier today, due to the latest Federal Government direction in relation to gatherings of 500+ people, Hockey Australia announced that the U15 and U18 National Championships will be cancelled.

For more details please see this link: https://hockey.org.au/hockey-australia-covid-19-statement/

Hockey South Australia have commenced the communication with all impacted SA players, families and volunteers and will continue providing support to all those affected by the cancellation.

Current Hockey South Australia activities, including the 2020 Winter Season the Country Championships and Zone Championships. 

In the past 24-48 hours, we have carefully considered the current status of COVID-19 pandemic in South Australia, and the Government’s directive on gatherings of over 500 people, which would exclude the vast majority of community sport, and therefore community hockey.

Based on the Office for Recreation, Sport & Racing (see extract from ORS update & link below) most up to date advice we are continuing to follow the directive of the Government and Health Officials.   

Currently, our advice around sporting events and other public gatherings is that they can still go ahead, and people should go about their lives as normal. The Australian Government has declared that all non-essential public gatherings of more than 500 people should be suspended from Monday 16 March 2020 (excluding schools, universities, public transport or airports).

We encourage South Australians to be active, continue playing sport and participate in recreational activities, particularly outdoors and in well ventilated areas.

Getting active and participating in sport and recreation, provides a number of physical, mental and social benefits and helps to keep communities connected.

We are reviewing the situation daily and will continue to provide up-to-date information to the community and event organisers. 

https://www.orsr.sa.gov.au/events_courses?a=28302

The Hockey South Australia Board have resolved to undertake a further risk assessment and seek more information from Health Organisations, State Government, Hockey Australia and other sports over the next 48 hours before our next update at 4.00pm on Thursday. 

Our priorities are the health and safety of our members and our community and the sustainability of the sport. 

At the club or association level, it’s important to follow relevant health advice to reduce your risk – Ten ways to reduce your risk of coronavirus.

In regards to the events (Senior Country Championships and Zone Championships), at this stage we plan to deliver the events in their usual timelines, however we intend to advise the hockey community of any changes by the end of March at the very latest, or prior should the current COVID-19 situation change.

Hockey South Australia