The NSW Swifts and Giants Netball are currently working with Netball Australia to determine the teams’ movements once Sunday’s Round 9 Suncorp Super Netball games have taken place.
The teams left NSW for Queensland on Wednesday 23 June when areas of Sydney were declared COVID-19 hotspots and then moved to Victoria on Wednesday 30 June after further outbreaks were detected in South East Queensland.
It was the understanding of both teams their quarantine periods of 14 days would not reset upon entry to Victoria given they had left Queensland before it was declared a hotspot. However, on arrival they were informed they would have to enter quarantine for an additional two weeks.
Both the Swifts and Giants are now looking at what this means for the clubs post Round 9.
“Firstly we understand the delicate and difficult situation that COVID-19 presents for everyone, and we are committed to working with Netball Australia to come up with a satisfactory solution that balances the needs of our players, coaches and staff,” Netball NSW CEO Tain Drinkwater said.
“Our teams have already been in self isolation in Queensland since Wednesday 23 June and weren’t able to properly train at any stage up there given challenges in securing exemptions to do so.
“The players and staff of both teams completely understand the need to remain in isolation until Wednesday 7 July which is two weeks from when they left Sydney, and have made an extraordinary effort to demonstrate their commitment to the SSN competition having to work through such difficult conditions.
“Our players have been unable to properly prepare for games, and our coaches and staff with children have also had leave home with only two-hour’s notice last month and remain in extended isolation.
“We are working closely with Netball Australia who are assisting us in looking at alternative options for the teams from next Wednesday.”
Interim Netball Australia CEO Ron Steiner said: “Netball Australia acknowledge and respect the sacrifices made by all teams, but particularly the NSW teams”.
Both the Swifts General Manager Nikki Horton and Giants General Manager Tim Underwood agree that the teams remain committed to working with the league to ensure the 2021 competition continues, however they noted: “The environment in Melbourne must provide a fair and equal playing field for all teams and must have the physical and mental wellbeing of all players at the forefront of it.”
The Swifts are set to face West Coast Fever at Melbourne’s John Cain Arena at 1pm on Sunday while the Giants face Queensland Firebirds at the same venue at 5pm.
