Junior cricket in the Hunter is preparing to start its season in early November, with coaches, umpires and scorers expected to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The NSW government is planning to allow community sport to return once the state hits an 80 per cent double vaccination rate for people aged 16 and over.
This target is estimated to be reached in November.
Newcastle Junior Cricket Association administrator David Wild said the junior cricket season had initially been scheduled to start on October 9.
"We put it back to October 30. That's where it sits at the moment," he said.
"We're waiting on advice from the state government, which we'd probably expect in the next seven to 10 days.
"If we're given a date, whether it be October 30 or a week or two weeks after that, it will give us clarity."
Newcastle Junior Cricket Association president Andrew Cornwell said "we're working on the likelihood of return to play being early November".
"My understanding is Cricket NSW met with the Sports Minister this week, so we expect to have some clarity over the next week," Mr Cornwell said.
Once this information is received, the association will communicate that to the clubs and help with the return to play.
"Our understanding is, we think all volunteers will likely need to be fully vaccinated," Mr Cornwell said.
The government hadn't announced vaccination requirements yet, but Mr Cornwell - the former Liberal MP for Charlestown - said it was "likely that coaches, umpires and scorers will all need to be fully vaccinated".
"Our advice to all the volunteers is to get their vaccinations done now, so it doesn't impact their ability to help out when the season starts."
NSW Minister for Sport Natalie Ward confirmed she met with "a number of sporting bodies, including Cricket NSW, to discuss the re-commencement of community sport".
"I will continue to strongly advocate for the reopening of community sport at the earliest possible opportunity, when the health advice allows us to do so," Ms Ward said.
Asked whether a decision had been made on whether sport volunteers would need to be vaccinated, she said: "I encourage all citizens to get vaccinated as soon as possible".
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said last Saturday that a decision on community sport could be made soon if vaccination rates continue.
Academics have said that kids' physical activity has been down and screen-time up during the pandemic, raising health concerns.
Mr Wild said registration of junior cricket players was "pretty strong".
"We're at about 75 per cent of what we were two years ago, pre-COVID, which I think is really good," he said.
"As a summer sport, we have a really good opportunity as winter sports all finished early."
He believed cricket had a good chance to attract younger kids - particularly those aged five to nine - who "haven't played sport for a while and wouldn't normally play". "We're looking at a glass-half full perspective at the moment," he said.
The season won't need to be reduced if plans to return to play go as scheduled.
"Hopefully we don't lose any competition weeks at all," Mr Wild said.
"If it gets pushed back too much further, it might be a little bit problematic. As it stands, I think we're doing OK."
Grand final day for junior cricket matches is set for March 19 or 26.
Mr Wild said COVID plans would be needed for grounds, similar to last season. The government will advise on any changes to those plans.
Mr Cornwell said cricket grounds would "all need to have QR codes and socially distancing will be a must".
"The only game that's more socially distanced than cricket is Fortnite. So I think it'll be OK," he said.
Mr Cornwell said cricket was in a "fortunate position".
"We dodged a bullet last year and I think we'll only be slightly affected this year. It's looking reasonably encouraging," Mr Cornwell said.
The Newcastle Herald sport section reported this week that senior cricket competition in Newcastle had been delayed from October 9 to November 6.
Cricket NSW had recently circulated an email, suggesting a "jab and play" strategy could be introduced with the sport's return.
The winter sporting codes had to end their season in the Hunter when lockdown began six weeks ago.
IN THE NEWS:
- Mount Hutton Public School closed after positive COVID case for contact tracing, cleaning
- Hunter COVID-19 case numbers update: Friday, September 17
- Resources Minister Keith Pitt is still an considering application to extend PEP-11 licence for two years
- Aged care staff face 'consequences' if they don't meet COVID vaccination deadline
- COVID exposure sites in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark: newcastleherald.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News