MEMBER for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead said the State government has yet to make a decision on whether players who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be able participate when community sport resumes.
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Mr Bromhead said sport will be able to start when the State gets to the 80 per cent vaccination rate.
"We believe this will happen in October,'' Mr Bromhead added.
NSW's full vaccination rate currently stands at 49.6 per cent.
Manning Cricket Association is seeking clarification from Mr Bromhead and the State government regarding guidelines to start the 2021/22 season. An association meeting this week raised concerns about whether unvaccinated players, or those who had only received one jab, would be allowed to take part.
Clubs are not currently taking registrations and the association is unable to settle on a starting date for the new season. Cricket traditionally starts the weekend after the October long weekend, but association president Michael Steinmetz said it won't happen this year.
Newcastle Cricket Association this week announced that the season will be postponed until at least November 6.
Manning Cricket secretary Yvonne Nash this week forwarded an email from Cricket NSW's country committee of management to players registered from last season headed Return to Cricket - CNSW Jab and Play Position.
This stated:
- Double dose vaccination will be a requirement to play, coach, administer and officiate cricket. This will apply to all competitions for participants aged 16 and over. This includes volunteers, match officials, scorers, medical staff, ground staff, club officials. This will apply to all competitions for those aged 16 and over.
- Participants aged under 16 will be allowed to play with COVID-safe guidelines in place. However team and match officials for under 16 competitions will be required to be vaccinated. As above, this cohort will include volunteers, match officials, scorers, medical staff, ground staff, club officials.
All levels of cricket will likely be required to have a Service NSW QR code in place for players, officials and spectators to check in. Spectators - including parents or guardians - will be required to be fully vaccinated to attend.
If community cricket returns to the field at the 70 per cent threshold, the following will be in place:
- Aged 16 to 39 - at least one COVID vaccination;
- Aged 40 and over - two COVID vaccinations;
- Under 16s will be allowed to play with COVID-safe guidelines in place. However team and match officials for under 16s will be required to be vaccinated. As above, this cohort will include volunteers, match officials ie scorers, medical staff, ground staff, club officials.
"The country committee appreciates that in some areas of the State accessibility to vaccines will not be as good as in some other areas state and will work closely with those areas,'' Bruce Whitehouse from Cricket NSW explained.
"Based on the government and public health updates, we may need to update these guidelines as we all know things can change rapidly.
"The committee strongly encourages all zones to spread the word across the zone - make every attempt to get vaccinated against COVID - Jab and Play.''
