Ongoing Impact on the Sport and Recreation Sectors

To Our Members,

I just wanted to provide an update regarding COVID-19 and its impact on the Sport and Recreation Sectors.
As you may have seen, Baseball Australia are postponing the National Little League Championships. (Read Baseball Australia’s full statement HERE)

We are aware of the impact this decision will have on many of you who have been preparing diligently for the upcoming State and National Titles. It is disappointing that the Championships will be delayed however Baseball NSW remain committed to ensuring that the Health and wellbeing of its members remain the priority and support Baseball Australia in this decision. We will continue to work with Baseball Australia,  the Office of Sport, NSW Health, Sport NSW, State Sporting Organisations and the various communities we serve to deal with this emergency as best we can.

Additionally, he Australian Government has announced new community sport guidelines to combat the spread
of COVID-19. We encourage you to strictly adhere to these guidelines in the best interest of our players, parents
and wider community. (COVID-19 Community Sport Guidelines issued to National Sporting Organisations)

This follows ongoing consultation with Sporting Organisations and is focused on providing relevant advice
on change room access, physical contact, travel, and social distancing and hygiene practices.

These guidelines were developed by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC),
comprising all state and territory Chief Health Officers and is chaired by the Australian Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy.

Mass Gatherings
On 18 March 2020, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard made an Order under Section 7
of the Public Health Act 2010 to force the immediate cancellation of major events with more than 500 people.

The object of this Order is to deal with the public health risk of COVID-19 and its possible consequences by giving a Ministerial direction that prohibits mass gatherings of 500 or more people in outdoor spaces and 100 people or more in indoor spaces, subject to certain exclusions.

Section 10 of the Public Health Act 2010 creates an offence if an individual fails to comply with a direction with a maximum penalty of imprisonment for six months or a fine of up to $11,000 (or both) plus a further $5,500 fine each day the offence continues. Corporations that fail to comply with a direction are liable to a fine of $55,000 and $27,500 each day the offence continues.

For more information, refer to Public Health (COVID-19 Mass Gatherings) Order 2020

Further Information
We are committed to keeping the sport and recreation sectors up to date as the situation evolves.
Links to further information can be found below:

• Office of Sport COVID-19 Information
• NSW Health, NSW Health Services.
• Commonwealth Department of Health
• Australian Institute of Sport
​
Your sincerely,
Mark Marino
Chief Executive
Baseball NSW

Please see below link to download as PDF.

Download Announcement