​The Local Sport Grant Program 2021-22 is now open for applications.

The $4.6 million Local Sport Grant Program is available to eligible organisations to help support initiatives in local NSW communities.
 
The program will help support projects that: 

• Increase regular and ongoing participation in sport  
• Increase participation and access for women, girls & population groups with low participation rates 
• Address barriers to participation in sport or structured physical activity
• Assist sporting clubs in providing quality service to their members and the local community

Grants between $500 - $15,000 are available to eligible organisations. The amount organisations request should reflect the scale of the project/s.
​
Applications close at 1pm, on Friday the 19th of November.

To Our Members,
 
The NSW Government has published an updated Public Health Order which outlines restrictions in place from Monday 11th October 2021.
 
The Public Health (COVID-19 General) Order 2021 is available for download HERE.

The Office of Sport who having consulted with NSW Health has provided advice to support the sport and recreation sector as it prepares to recommence activities.
 
All members participating in Community Sport Training activities MUST be registered & financial in the Baseball NSW Registration system for the 2021/2022 Season to be covered by the Baseball Australia Insurance.
 
Insurance is applicable from the date of registration for each member as long as they have complied with the Health Order and not contravened any Governing body mandate.
 
From Monday 11th October 2021 -

Maximum number of persons — outdoor sport or exercise

• Clause 2.13 of the Public Health Order states that people can undertake sport and exercise at outdoor public gatherings in groups of up to 20. This figure includes participants, coaches and support staff and spectators/parents. All participants (16 years and older) must be double vaccinated as per the current Public Health Order.
• This will enable community sport training activities that are compliant with the Public Health Order to take place.
• Organisations are expected to have a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place.

PLEASE NOTE – although the outdoor gatherings and recreation limit has been increased from 20 people to 30 people, this DOES NOT include Community Sport Training activities where the maximum number of people gathering for Community Sport Training Activities remains at 20.

In compliance with the Public Health Order, organized Community Sport Competition is still not permitted at this time, it is Community Sport Training Activities only.

Please check with your relevant local Council to ensure that your ground can be booked for Community Sport Training Activities as some local councils are not permitting Community Sport bookings until the Monday after 80% double vaccination has been achieved in NSW.
 
Maximum number of persons—group classes and activities at recreation facilities (indoor)

• Clause 2.9 of the Public Health Order states that ‘the occupier of a recreation facility (indoor) in the general area must not allow more than 20 persons to attend a group class or other group activity at the facility.’
• The occupier of an indoor recreation facility must not allow the total of more than 1 person per 4 square metres, as per Clause 2.3 (1) a).
• Multiple group activities or classes of up to 20 persons may take place within an indoor recreation facility provided the facility complies with the Public Health Order.
• This will enable community sport training activities compliant with the Public Health Order to take place.
• Facility operators must have a ‘Gyms and indoor recreation’ COVID-19 Safety Plan in place.

Parents accompanying children under 16 years of age

• Clause 2.18(3) of the Public Health Order states the occupier of higher risk premises in the general area must ensure that a person who is under 16 years of age and who is not a fully vaccinated person is not on the premises unless the person is accompanied by a person who is -
  (a) a member of the person’s household, and
  (b) a fully vaccinated person.
• A higher risk premises includes an entertainment facility, a major recreation facility, hospitality venues, places of public worship, and premises at which a significant event is being held, other than a small funeral or memorial service or small wedding service.
• Indoor recreation facilities are not classified as a higher risk premises.

An unvaccinated parent who is accompanying a person under the age of 16 must not leave their vehicle once they have arrived at the Community Sport Training Activity.
 
 
It is the responsibility of the clubs to confirm the vaccination status of their members upon arrival to training which is viewable on the Medicare App.
 
Please refer to the online service: Express Plus Medicare mobile app - Services Australia and the NSW Proof of COVID-19 vaccination – What you need to know document.

BNSW Country Baseball is calling upon players to forward an Expression of Interest to join the touring team to compete at the 2022 Great Barrier Reef Tournament, Trinity Beach, Cairns Queensland.
 
The tour dates are Sunday 12th June 2022 until Monday 20th June 2022.
 
The projected cost per person is approx. $2,000 (excluding flights). This includes 8 nights’ accommodation & breakfast in Cairns CBD, uniform & walkout, land transport, training & tournament costs. This is a self-funded tour for players and coaches/staff, all excess funds will be refunded after the tour.
 
To be eligible for selection, players must be 18 years of age before the commencement of the Tour.
You must have been registered in a Country team/Association or be approved by Country League Standing Committee.
 
To confirm your interest in the selection you MUST by no later than Friday 5th November 2021;
Contact: Stephy Thompson, (Secretary of the NSW Country Liaison Standing Committee)
​Telephone text: 0409 710 459 OR
Email: stephy.1@bigpond.com 
 
You should be aware that you are confirming your interest, you are also under no obligation to pay any money UNTIL your final selection.
 
To CONFIRM your EOI please contact Stephy by no later than Friday 5th November 2021,
  
Full Name:
Current Baseball Club & Association:
3 x Playing Positions:
Mobile Contact:
Email Contact:
 
Should you have any enquiries, please contact Stephy on 0409 710 459.

Baseball NSW is pleased to announce the dates and venues for the 2022 Representative events.
​
We’d like to thank the associations and the host clubs for their continued support and look forward to seeing you around the diamonds soon.

​To Our Members,
 
In a recent announcement, the NSW Government advised that Community Sport MAY be given the approval to gather in groups of 20 once NSW residents have achieved an 80% double dose vaccination rate in adults (16yrs or older).
 
Whilst a return to Community Sport may be granted, this does not mean that we can return to organised competition. For the health & safety of all members, a return to Community Sport will be a return to training only and members will be required to adhere to the NSW Government Guidelines and in conjunction with the current Public Health Orders & COVID-19 Safety Plans.
 
To assist our clubs and associations, Baseball NSW has developed a ‘Return to Baseball’ document, outlining guidelines and requirements for all members. We understand the importance that sport brings to our communities and we are one step closer to returning to full competition. We thank you for your continued patience, support, and diligence.
 
Additionally, our members will need to consider the following;
 
Vaccination
As we head towards the NSW Government vaccination targets, vaccination remains the key to reducing the spread of the virus and helping to prevent severe disease and death. Baseball NSW suggests where possible that all participants get vaccinated following State Government guidelines. GET VACCINATED
 
LGA Consent
LGAs are still under varying restrictions, and it is up to the individual to be responsible for managing local COVID rules and restrictions.
 
Club Requirements
As can be appreciated, we, as a baseball community need to ensure a safe return to the fields for players, officials, volunteers, and spectators. Thus, we advise that clubs have the following in place before returning to training and competition.

• Consent from the local council that community sport is permitted to recommence, in addition to the standing Health Orders.
• An updated COVID Safety Plan as required by the NSW Government as of 11 September 2021 (please ensure you are referring to the most recent guidelines).
• Service NSW QR Code.

 
From the October 11th target date, training may be permitted in groups of a maximum of 20 (including children) for fully vaccinated adults (16+) and those with medical exemptions, subject to the Public Health Order. It is the responsibility of the clubs to confirm the vaccination status of their members upon arrival to training which is viewable on the Medicare App.
 
Please refer to the online service: Express Plus Medicare mobile app - Services Australia
 
A Return to Competition is not permitted until such time that the NSW Government authorise a resumption of Community Sport.

​Baseball NSW would like to announce the appointment of Belinda Woolford to its Board of Directors. Belinda is filling a casual vacancy left by the resignation of Elected Director, Karl Hardman.
 
Baseball NSW would like to thank Karl for his substantial contribution to the strategic partnerships, stakeholder engagement, commercial engagement and strategic development of Baseball NSW and wishes him the best of luck with his future endeavors.
 
In a professional capacity, Belinda is currently the Chief Executive Officer at Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater Western Sydney. Having been with the organization for seven years, Belinda’s responsibilities included the development and implementation of the strategic plan, managing financial resources, and ensuring compliance with all relevant legal requirements.
 
Belinda was also previously responsible for all areas of Sponsorship, Media, PR, Events, Sales, Promotions, Communications and Branding of Football in NSW. Leading the marketing, digital communications, sponsorship, events and public relations team to ensure that they achieved the objectives to deliver the Football NSW strategic plan.
 
Her corporate acumen in leadership, planning and strategy at a not-for-profit organization will be of great added value to an already impressive Board of Directors. Belinda has taken on the portfolio of Tool & Tech, Commercial, and BVM.

To Our Members,

From Monday 13 September, people across NSW who have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed more freedoms.

For those who live outside the LGAs of concern, up to 5 fully vaccinated adults can engage in outdoor recreation (this does not constitute community sport) in a person’s LGA or within 5km of home. Children under 12 will not be counted in this total.

For those who live in the LGAs of concern, a household with all adults vaccinated will be able to engage in outdoor recreation (including picnics) for up to 2 hours within the existing rules (outside of curfew hours and within 5km of home). This is in addition to the ability to engage in outdoor exercise.

People who live alone can gather with one other adult to participate in outdoor recreation within the same existing rules.

Furthermore, the NSW Government made announcements relating to the stay-at-home orders lifting for some local government areas in regional NSW from 12:01am Saturday 11 September, and the release of the roadmap outlining freedoms after NSW passes the 70 per cent double vaccination target.
 
We advise our members to adhere to the Public Health Order. 

For all the details, download the announcement.