WPNSW Covid-19 Update 5^th May

Dear Water Polo Community,

Over the past couple of weeks there has being great progress towards reductions in the isolation restrictions that has helped flatten the curve that plagued Australia through March and April.

With the lifting of restrictions there is an expectation that life will resume to pre Covid-19 standards shortly. WPNSW acknowledges that a couple of sports have already announced return to sport dates in July (Hockey, Rugby, Netball), there are some factors that does not allow us to safely give a return to sport date as of yet.

WPNSW is very excited to be able to resume club activity and competition as soon as possible. Water Polo faces a couple of extra hurdles then some of the land base sports and WPNSW will continue to work closely with Health and Sporting authorities to ensure our sport can resume with the safety of all our members top of mind.

WPNSW meets weekly with the New South Wales Minister for Sport, Multiculturalism, Seniors and Veterans, Dr Geoff Lee MP and other State Sporting Organisations (SSOs) to discuss the current circumstances surrounding return to sport.

Below is a quick update on the current situation surrounding the return of sport for water polo in NSW and what our return to the pool is likely to look like:

“National Cabinet agreed that sport and recreation will play a significant role as Australia emerges from the COVID-19 environment due to the associated health, economic, social and cultural benefits it brings.

National Cabinet also agreed that the resumption of sport and recreation activity at any level must not compromise the health of individuals or the community …

National Cabinet considered and endorsed ‘National Principles for the Resumption of Sport and Recreation Activities’ developed by the AHPPC in consultation with sporting bodies across Australia.

The Principles will help provide a pathway for a staged return of community and professional sport, as well as recreational activities, without compromising the health of individuals or the community.

National Cabinet agreed that the ‘Framework for Rebooting Sport in a COVID-19 Environment’ developed by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) provides a guide to the staged resumption of sport and recreation in Australia.”

Steve Loader Sport NSW CEO

What does this mean for Water Polo in NSW?

From the endorsed Framework for Rebooting Sport in a Covid-19 Environment we can see HOW sport will resume but the WHEN will rely on agreement with Federal, State, and Local health authorities deem the conditions safe.

There are 3 stages to the Framework starting with ‘A’ and moving towards ‘C’ which will see resumption of regular training and competition. These are high level benchmarks and may be broken down further later. How long is spent in each stage is still unknown at the moment.

Figure 1: Excerpt from AIS Framework for Rebooting Sport

Level A: Unfortunately, due to the nature of Water Polo level A will have no impact on a return to sport with training restricted to home pools and open water (solo)

Level B: Once pools are allowed to reopen it is likely groups of up to 10 will be able to swim, pass, shoot. Trainings will have a strict time limit and spectators are discouraged.

Level C: Full Training and Competition.

What is WPNSW doing with this information?

WPNSW will remain active in staying in touch with the relevant health and sport authorities to ensure a push for the safe resumption of our sport and to pass on up to date information to our clubs and members. Currently our staff are working on the following to ensure we are in a position to recommence as soon as possible

• WPNSW are reaching out to all pools utilised in regular competition to determine what factors will lead to their reopening to team training.

• Working with the Office of Sport and AIS on their guidelines to return to sport to create recommended training programs that can be adopted by clubs.

• Modelling modified competitions that may be accepted in the later stages of Level B.

• Continue to keep clubs up to date with the latest information regarding Covid-19 and return to sport.

WPNSW would once again like to thank everyone for their patience during this process and we look forward to being able to give everyone a return date as soon as possible. Water Polo will return to NSW but we must do everything we can to ensure when it does we are providing a safe environment and abiding by the relevant restrictions where necessary.

It is a complex process, but we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Best Regards,

Rick Hooper

WPNSW CEO

5^th May 2020