Winter sports challenged by lockdown

Junior netball is likely to be one of the winter sports hardest hit by lockdowns.

The first lockdown restricted play to a 10-week season and this had only just started on July 22 at the Hibiscus Coast Netball Centre (HM August 5). Three weeks later the second lockdown again closed the courts, which may not be able to reopen until Auckland returns to Alert Level 1, with a decision on that pending.

North Harbour Netball chief executive Lynette Brady says outside Auckland many netball centres are playing under level 2, “but certainly not as we traditionally know the delivery of netball”.

“Many of the centres are only playing senior and college grades, as due to the number restrictions, spectators are not allowed to attend,” she says. “This provides challenges for primary aged competitions as generally adults accompany children.”

She says there is currently no standard level of delivery as every community and facility is different and has differing capacity and capability.

“Hibiscus Coast is currently running junior competitions and their committee may decide that can only deliver those safely at Level 1, however they may review this once they have had an opportunity to work through what it may look like,” Lynette says.

Hibiscus Netball’s committee is still working through this process as the paper goes to print.

Local football has also had a frustrating time, with two of Hibiscus Coast AFC’s top teams in a holding pattern, while in contention for promotion.

The club’s men’s and women’s 1st teams are at the top of their respective tables. Both play in leagues that include teams from Northland and Waikato. The women are seven points clear at the top, and looking to play off with the last placed team in the Women’s Premier League (club football’s highest level) for promotion. The men’s 1st team is on top by goal difference with two teams one point behind them.

Club president Scott Beard says it is not known at this stage whether the season will be completed, or what will result from it.

“We are going to have to wait and see how many weekends we get to continue playing. Northern Region Football will determine what happens in regard to the leagues with promotion/relegation. They may look to play midweek games if possible. Basically it is out of our hands. To lose momentum at this crucial stage will be a challenge for those teams. Hopefully under Level 2 restrictions we can finish the season as was planned. We just have to wait and see.”

Raiders Premier team is also in limbo, but could head straight to the playoffs, without playing rounds 8 and 9 of the Fox Championship, which were declared a Covid washout.

Team manager Paul Davis says fortunately the Premiers snuck into the Top 4 with their victory over Otara (HM August 19).

“So if it gets postponed a couple of further weeks it will go straight into playoffs, I believe. So we have luckily got it together just in time,” he says.

The Level 3 restrictions caused a number of headaches for rugby, although Silverdale Rugby Club chair Chris Carter says they are trying to stay positive.

“The re-introduction of Level 3 and transition to Level 2 creates increased workload for staff and volunteers,” he says. “With around 700 juniors playing each week and 60 teams, all with coaches and managers, draws have to be reorganised and notified by staff. Also, if senior rugby can resume under Level 2, the various restrictions imposed means ground access, bar and catering must be limited to 100 people. This requires increased volunteer input, in particular with Silverdale War Memorial Park’s open entry access points. Likewise the use of changing rooms requires closer management and bar/catering protocols must be observed. All of which increase workload, cost of compliance and significantly reduced revenues.”

He says one of the major feedbacks from the initial lockdown, was that not only did children miss sport, but parents/guardians missed the social interaction.

“Like many other sports codes, businesses, and people in their regular life, the club’s board and staff have to deal with the restrictions imposed and continue in a positive mindset,” he says.