The Cobar Netball Association is keen to start their 2020 season and has been making contingency plans ready to put into place when they are given the green light for sporting competitions to recommence.
Netball competitions, like all other team sports, have been banned under the government’s COVID-19 social distancing restrictions.
Cobar Netball Association president Bethany Thomas reports the committee has been working closely with Netball NSW and it’s looking like the start of all competitions (including juniors and the Net.Set.Go programs) will be postponed until mid-July.
Ms Thomas has advised players the committee has put forward a number of options on how the revised senior competition could run.
“The committee have come up with several options to finish the season sooner and avoid
playing in the heat of summer,” Ms Thomas said.
Players, umpires and officials have been invited to take part in on online poll and give their preference on how they would like to see the season run.
Players were given the options of: playing twice a week (Tuesday nights and Saturday afternoons); have a shorter season; play double-header games every second or third round; play two modified shortened games each week; or play as usual with the competition to finish in December.
Ms Thomas said while the poll would give them an indication of what would suit players most the final decision on how the competition will be run cannot be made by a “popularity vote”.
“We also need to consider player availability from each team to enable a fair competition,” she said.
The committee has compiled a second survey to get more accurate information from players.
The survey closes at the end of the month.
All teams are encouraged to discuss the options among their players and complete the survey.
Ms Thomas said they also want to hear from umpires and floaters about their availability regarding the different options.
She said a further update will be released by Netball NSW next month and, if all is going to plan, the ladies competition draw and any further information will be released soon.
Ms Thomas said the committee appreciated players’ patience during this time.
and they look forward to all enjoying netball soon.
