Return to Basketball Update | 18th October 2021
Following yesterday’s announcement by the Victorian Government we are providing an update on our return to basketball.
Two important key dates on our return are:
- Domestic Competition Commences – Saturday 6th November 2021
- Junior Sharks Tryouts Commences – Sunday 7th November 2021
As the state is ahead of the roadmap timeline, we expect to be allowed to return to indoor sport activity from approximately Monday 1st November 2021. While we will not be bringing the start to competition forward, we will be offering a number of return to basketball programs and activities when we are allowed indoors.
As of this Friday 22nd October 2021, outdoor sport training is allowed. Having consulted with our clubs, we feel that the week of returning back to school and out of lockdown will be an exciting and busy one for everyone. As an Association we will not be hosting any outdoor programs as we expect about a week later we will be able to return indoors. We encourage individuals or groups to get outside to a local court and have some fun and get some shots up in preparation for our return in the first week of November.
For more detail, please read further below.
Domestic Competition
Our domestic competition will commence from Saturday 6th November 2021 for all junior and senior grades.
The domestic calendar has been updated and be found in the updated information pack available HERE.
We have reduced the registration fee by $5 for the shortened season. The early bird fee has been extended to 5pm on Friday 5th November 2021 and remains the same amount.
We encourage players to register as soon as they are able through the link their team manager will provide.
Key dates for the domestic competition are:
- Team registrations close – Friday 29th October 2021
- Domestic competition returns – Saturday 6th November 2021
You can register your team by CLICKING HERE.
Junior Representative Program – VJBL
Junior Sharks tryouts will start from Sunday 7th November 2021. The updated schedule is available HERE.
The Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL) have finalised the revised competition calendar which is set to kick off from Friday 3rd December 2021. The full calendar can be found HERE.
We understand that the recent lockdowns have placed additional financial stress on families and we will have flexible payment options through our payment provider Humm for successful players. More information on fees can be found HERE.
As we expect to return to indoors approximately a week before tryouts begin, we plan to offer a range of return to sport activities in the days leading up to trials. These will be communicated via all communication channels.
Tournament
The tournament dates are now the 4th & 5th of December 2021.
We understand the important impact our tournament has on the local economy, last tournament bringing an economic impact of just under 1.2 million dollars to local business.
In such an important event, we need your help – if you are able to volunteer in the preparations of the tournament. Or would like to fill a paid position on the weekend of the tournament, please CLICK HERE.
Registrations are open until the 24th of November 2021. More information can be found HERE.
Until indoor training is permitted we will also allow teams the option of paying later.
Our refund policy has been updated to reflect the timeframes and potential impact now imposed by the restrictions.
Vaccinations
There has not yet been any official advice from the Victorian Government on vaccines in relation to community sport. However, Basketball Victoria has indicated that it appears that the State Government is working towards a double dose vaccination mandate for community sport to return for all participants that are eligible to be vaccinated. Our understanding of this to date is all those 16 and above, not 12 and above as they have not had time to receive both doses yet.
While SPBA does not have a position on vaccinations at this time, we of course abide by any government mandate.
As it has been indicated there is a high likelihood this will be introduced to enable us to return to indoor sport, we wanted to make contact everyone that there is the possibility if a player is eligible to be vaccinated and are not yet vaccinated, they may not be able to participate.
Note – this does not include those who are not eligible to be vaccinated (e.g. gov’t approved exemption, etc).
We have no formal information as yet, including requirements for parents/spectators. As soon as we do, we will be in contact.
Basketball Victoria are continuing to liaise with the Victorian Government and all related stakeholders to ensure the best outcome for Victorian basketball’s return to competition as safely and quickly as possible.
Although, this provides no official information to our members, we wanted everyone to be prepared for our return to basketball and what it may look like. This may assist members who are planning on getting vaccinated to plan this in time for our return.
Canteen & Pro Shop
We are currently working through how our venues will operate and will provide information as soon as practical these areas.
We are not far off and we are thrilled to be in a position where we can head towards a more stable return to COVID-Normal.
If you have any questions, please contact us.
Kind regards,
Ben White
General Manager