RETURN TO TRAINING UPDATE - MAY 15th
Today, the NSW Government commenced easing of COVID19 restrictions.
The easing of restrictions is designed to allow more businesses to open up and more people to stay in work.
It is important to note that there are still strict compliance guidelines in place as set out by the NSW Governments standing Public Health Order including physical distancing. Click here to view the official rules from the NSW Government.
What does this mean for Hockey?
This means some hockey training activities in restricted numbers will be able to start earlier than our original proposed date of July 1st.
The resumption of hockey training will be governed by strict guidelines and expectations set out by the NSW Government.
Can we start hockey training immediately?
No. The resumption of training will be subject to the NSW Government amending the current Public Health Order to allow sporting facilities to open. It will also be subject to Associations and hockey facility operators completing a COVID19 safety plan and having the plan approved by Hockey NSW.
Unprecedented times requires unprecedented safety measures. This means there will be several steps required before hockey facilities can open and training can resume.
We are at this point because everybody has followed health advice about physical distancing, hand hygiene and staying home when sick. It is critically important that we as the hockey community stay on top of the virus, and not let down our guard.
What is Hockey NSW doing to help clubs, associations, competition bodies and venue operators?
Hockey NSW has been working closely with Hockey Australia, the NSW Office of Sport and other government agencies to ensure our sport is ready to restart when it is appropriate and safe. This includes;
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Establishing a Hockey NSW COVID19 Safety Committee
The Hockey NSW COVID19 Safety Committee will prepare resources and provide advice.
In the short term, the committee is focusing on enabling hockey training activities to resume in a safe environment.
In addition to the safety committee, Hockey NSW has also appointed a COVID19 Safety Manager (Blair Chalmers) and a COVID19 Safety Officer (James Psarakis).
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Creation of COVID19 Safety Guidance Materials
In consultation with Hockey Australia, Sport Australia, and the NSW Government, the Hockey NSW COVID19 Safety Committee have prepared several resource materials including COVID19 safety checklists and plans.
These guidance materials will be released during the week of 18 May 2020.
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Planned Delivery of COVID19 Safety Videoconferences
Once the COVID19 safety checklists and plans have been distributed to the NSW hockey community, Hockey NSW will run a number of online information sessions via videoconference to explain the guidance materials and answer any questions.
When will Hockey competitions start?
The easing of COVID19 restrictions announced by the NSW Government and the subsequent revision to the Public Health Order, only allows hockey to resume training subject to approval of COVID19 safety plans.
Hockey NSW still has 18 July as the date for competitions to restart.
If advice from NSW Government enables a return to hockey competitions earlier, Hockey NSW will update the resumption date and provide a communication to the NSW hockey community.
To start competition hockey, a similar process will be undertaken whereby Associations and hockey facility operators will be required to complete a revised COVID19 safety plan covering game specific control measures and having the plan approved by Hockey NSW.
Why is the return to hockey in NSW different to other states?
Every state/territory has its own circumstances and must be able to move at its own pace.
The return to hockey in NSW is governed by the NSW Government and is based on the data and best available health advice in NSW.
If you have any questions about the advice above, please use the link below to submit your enquiry. As Hockey NSW have recently scaled back their operations, some responses may be slightly delayed. However, we will endeavour to reply to you as soon as practicable.
Enquiries: https://www.hockeynsw.com.au/surveys/1387/