Guidelines released for safe return to grassroots basketball

The Return to Basketball Guidelines have been released today (20th May 2020) by Basketball Australia to support state and territory member associations and the basketball community across Australia in bringing a safe return to grassroots basketball.

Basketball Australia has worked closely with state and territory associations on these guidelines, which are in line with the Federal Government’s National Principles for the Resumption of Sport and the AIS Framework for Rebooting Sport in a COVID-19 Environment.

The principles of the Return to Basketball Guidelines include:

• Provide the basketball community with clarity on what activities may be able to occur at each stage of lifted restrictions

• Education to all participants about COVID-19 risk mitigation strategies

• Assessment and preparation of the training and playing environment

• Assessment of participants prior to the resumption of training and competition

• Delivery and ongoing management of training and competition including venue management

In creating these guidelines, Basketball Australia aims to provide members and the community with clarity on what activities can resume and how best to create a safe training environment depending on the differing levels of restrictions imposed by governments.

Basketball Australia Chief Executive, Jerril Rechter said the priority was to protect public health by minimising the risk of community transmission as training restarts, and ahead of organised games and grassroots competitions resuming.

Rechter notes “the release of these Return to Basketball Guidelines marks an important milestone in the much-anticipated resumption of grassroots basketball across Australia.

“Basketball is one of Australia’s highest participation sports with over 1.5 million active participants and we know the safe return of training will have far-reaching physical, mental and social benefits throughout the basketball community.

“Our priority remains the health and well-being of our community and ensuring we all play our part in stopping the spread of COVID-19, while increasing basketball activities in line with state and federal government restrictions.

“On behalf of Basketball Australia, I like to thank the state and territory associations for their support in devising, and the safe implementation of, these guidelines as we work towards recommencing grassroots competitions.”

The Return to Basketball Guidelines were developed in line with expert advice from Australian Institute of Sport Chief Medical Officer, Dr David Hughes and Basketball Australia Chief Medical Officer, Dr Peter Harcourt.

Dr Harcourt advises “the Australian basketball community has demonstrated exemplary behaviour in assisting state and federal governments to stop the spread of COVID-19 and this vigilance will need to continue as we restart basketball activities.

“The basketball community should take great comfort and confidence from these detailed Return to Basketball Guidelines which have been approved by Sport Australia and will support the safe return of community basketball.”

Click here for a series of resources to support the Return to Basketball Guidelines.

Basketball Australia will make some further announcements in the coming weeks around initiatives to keep the basketball community engaged and inspired as they move towards a Return to Play.