Netball Victoria announced its community netball guidelines on Monday night, as netball becomes the latest sporting code to awaken from the Coronavirus lockdown.
Training on outdoor courts can resume from tomorrow with groups of up to 10, while participants must adhere to social distancing guidelines.
The governing body hopes to have further announcements about the return of competitions and programs by May 31.
All Netball Victoria affiliates and clubs will need to follow protocols put in place by the governing body to ensure the safety of all participants.
The use of bibs is off limits, as well as sharing personal items and drink bottles.
Training will also need to be modified to maintain the appropriate physical distance between participants, while activities must not involve any direct contact.
Netball Victoria has also released a checklist for affiliates and clubs to download and use to help assist with returning to community training and playing.
‘‘We are excited to be able to advise that from Thursday, May 21, groups of up to 10 people will be permitted to meet outdoors for the purpose of group netball activity, whilst adhering to appropriate physical distancing regulations,’’ a statement from Netball Victoria read.
‘‘Netball Victoria sees this as an opportunity for teams to gradually begin to reconnect with their teammates and return to training in a safe and cautious manner.’’
Deni Rams A Grade coach Amelia Seignior said the team is hoping to have modified training starting next week.
‘‘We’re not sure how to go about it with the club having so many grades but we have a meeting on Thursday night (last night) to discuss this,’’ Seignior said.
‘‘Hopefully we can start training in groups of 10 from next week; the players are definitely keen to get going.
‘‘We will likely start with fitness and footwork while maintaining our 1.5m distancing.
‘‘We will also train with no balls or equipment until it is safe to do so, and probably have to stagger training on different nights; but those decisions will be made at the coaches’ meeting.’’
Mathoura netball coordinator Jarrod Thomas said the club is following a similar goal.
‘‘We have to work together as a club to get both the footy and netball back safely,’’ Thomas said.
‘‘They are certainly keen to get going again, we have a few new recruits this season who are eager to start with the club and make some new friends.
‘‘Our committee will be meeting on Thursday night (last night) to discuss further actions.’’
The Deniliquin Rovers committee was also scheduled to meet last night to discuss options.
A Grade coach Deanne Stevens said they would be ‘‘going back to training as soon as we can, but we are unsure of when that exact date might be.
‘‘We are meeting to discuss our options, but are keen to get back on the court.
‘‘I am excited to get back and reunite with the team, picking up where we left off and playing some great netball again.’’
Blighty Netball Club will hold a meeting to discuss the current climate and chose not to comment at this time.
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