Dear Members and Stakeholders,
Sports Central are continuing to work through the current and future implications surrounding the COVID-19 situation. The Sports Central board and staff are working with partners across the state, the region and locally to determine a course of action that aligns with guidelines and laws as they continue to evolve. Our primary focus is to play our role in ensuring the health and wellbeing of our community members and staff. We have worked closely with our partners and have made the decision over recent days to postpone the following programs until further notice, these include;
- City of Ballarat – Sons of the West Program
- Ballarat Primary School Sports Association – Cross Country Event
- This Girl Can – Get Active In Smythesdale Event
- All Abilities Football programs – Ballarat Bulldogs and the Grampians Giants
Further advice related to other programs, services and events will be made on a regular basis and these decisions will be communicated as soon as possible. We will not be confirming the delivery of any new events or programs at this time.
I would like to share the most recent update from Peter Betson, Head of Sport, Recreation and Racing for the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions to ensure you have the most recent information that have been shared with the sector.
As the situation with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to develop, we are committed to providing up-to-date information to the sport, recreation and racing sectors.
Yesterday the Premier announced that as of midday 16 March 2020, a State of Emergency takes effect in Victoria.
Following the declaration of a State of Emergency, Victoria’s Chief Health Officer issued a legal direction that bans gatherings of 500 or more people in Victoria. The declaration also included a requirement for people entering Australia to self-isolate for 14-days upon arrival. The mass gathering ban and the 14-day isolation period has the force of law, and penalties apply if it is breached.
Under the ban, people are prohibited from organising and attending mass gatherings. People are also banned from allowing mass gatherings to occur on premises they own, control or operate.
The ban operates from noon on 16 March 2020 to midnight on 13 April 2020.
Certain gatherings are excluded from the operation of the ban. Details can be found at: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/state-of-emergency-declared-in-victoria-over-covid-19/
This means that community and grassroots sport, active recreation and racing can continue under the declaration in Victoria where they do not constitute a mass gathering.
However, as the situation is rapidly changing and I urge you to regularly check the DHHS coronavirus website at www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus for updates.
Sporting clubs and active recreation organisations have an important role and obligation to help reduce the risk of infection and slow the spread of the virus in the Victorian community. I want to thank each of you for carefully considering the interests of your members, participants and the broader community.
The DHHS website has a range of resources that can be shared digitally or printed out to be displayed at your office and venues.
We’ll continue to provide you with up-to-date industry advice as new information comes in, but for general health matters please check regularly with DHHS at https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus.
Sports Central’s position is to adhere to government and health authority advice and to respond as it relates to our programs, services and activities. We are committed to continuing to support our region’s sport and active recreation stakeholders in their efforts to promote healthy and safe environments for the community at this time. We encourage you to stay connected to your respective governing bodies and local government authorities in order to make informed decisions with the most up to date information. Please contact our team at info@sportscentral.org.au if you have any questions or would like any support in navigating through this time.
Kind regards,
Michael Flynn
Executive Officer