Hockey SA COVID-19 Update

HOCKEY SA COVID-19 UPDATE

4.00pm Wednesday 18 March 2020

Dear Hockey Community

As you are aware, the World Health Organisation has declared COVID-19 a pandemic.  The situation regarding COVID-19 continues to evolve and change rapidly.

Hockey SA has been working closely with Hockey Australia, the SA Office of Sport and Recreation, other government agencies as well as comparable State Sporting Organisations to ensure an appropriate response by the sport and recreation sector.

The advice from Federal and State Governments is now focused on actions to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community and protect those who are likely to experience more severe impacts from the virus such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. These steps are also essential to reduce the demands on the health system so that it can function effectively.

Today, the Board of Hockey SA have agreed to postpone the start of all hockey competitions and activities in South Australia commencing immediately.  This decision has not been made lightly, and we understand that it will deeply impact the association, clubs and the hockey community.

As a sporting and community organisation, we recognise our duty of care to our members, athletes, officials and staff, as well as the community more broadly. Our decision has been made on the belief that by suspending our activities we can reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in our community. Our decision is made in an effort to support the most vulnerable in our community and contribute towards the broader social impact and community’s effort to ‘flatten the curve’ of the demand on our health system.

Suspension of competitions will have deep financial implications on Hockey SA and Member Associations. The financial impact is under urgent review and members will be informed of the implications once it has been determined.  We are working closely with regulators and key stakeholders in relation to this matter.

At this moment the 2020 season has not been cancelled, however this is a rapidly changing public health emergency and Hockey SA will continue to monitor the situation closely with SA Health, other relevant agencies and organisations to ensure we have access to the latest advice on how to keep our staff, the hockey community and the public safe. 

It is important to note that the season is not being cancelled. Management has already commenced the development of a range of competition models to be implemented at different periods throughout 2020.  We will liaise with our clubs in Adelaide in relation to this and share some of the modelling and thinking with our Regional Associations to support them in getting viable hockey competitions operating in 2020. 

We will continue to review the situation and provide our community with regular updates given the financial implications and the development of COVID-19 pandemic.

We would like to thank our hockey community for their patience and understanding in this matter and encourage all members to treat each other with compassion and respect. It is in these unprecedented times like these that we need to pull together and support one another.   Please reach out and check-in on your friends, family and team mates to make sure they’re doing OK.