Community sport in Australia is set to make a return but without high-fives, huddles or grandparents – and parents will be forced to watch from their cars
- Community sport set to return but under strict new Sports Australia guidelines
- States and territories will have final say on when community sport can return
- Handshakes team huddles and grandparent spectators banned under new rules
- Junionr players must turn up to ground already dressed and shower at home
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Community sport is set to make a comeback as coronavirus restrictions continue to ease across the country.
Sport Australia has released a roadmap to allow community sporting clubs and associations a safe return to sport at all levels under strict new rules.
Handshakes and team huddles are now banned while grandparents have been told to stay away from games entirely.
Junior players need to arrive at the ground already dressed in their kit and shower at home afterwards.
They will also be restricted to having one parent watch them play, who will be expected to watch from the car.
Kids sports will make a comeback as lockdown restrictions ease under strict new rules
Clubs will also need to appoint a COVID-19 safety coordinator.
Sport Australia has developed a Return to Sport Toolkit to help sporting organisations prepare to allow training, competitions and programs to restart in a safe, responsible and low risk manner.
States and territories will say the final say on when community sports will return under their jurisdictions.
‘I urge all sporting participants not to jump the starting gun without first the consent of your relevant State and Territory Government health authorities,’ acting Sports Australia chief executive Dalton said in a statement.
‘Australia’s sporting community is desperately keen to get back in the game and resume playing the sports they love, but we need to ensure that is done in a safe, responsible and low risk manner so that we can keep moving forward towards the full resumption of sport.
Team huddles are now banned under new community sport guidelines (stock image)
Federal sports minister Richard Colbeck acknowledged the massive challenge ahead.
‘The safe return of competition relies on a responsible rollout where everybody follows advice and takes precautions,’ he said.
‘Sporting clubs and organisations across Australia will play an enormous part in getting the nation back on track as we recover from the impact of COVID-19.’
It comes as Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced measures that allow schools and some outdoor facilities to go back to normal from Tuesday.
Juniors players can only have one parent watch them play- from the car of possible (stock)
The state will also loosen restrictions from June 1, including allowing gatherings of up to 20 people at homes and outdoors, overnight stays in hotels as well as the opening of campgrounds.
“We think this is a very big part of that economic recovery but it has got to be sustainable and appropriate and safe,” Mr Andrews told reporters in Melbourne.