Basketball SA cancels junior and senior games in Adelaide after Federal Government announcement
Junior and senior basketball games in Adelaide have been cancelled until further notice by Basketball SA in response to uncertainty over coronavirus and matches may by suspended until after Easter.
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Junior and senior basketball games in Adelaide have been cancelled until further notice by Basketball SA in response to uncertainty over coronavirus and matches may by suspended until after Easter.
The governing body announced Friday afternoon it had decided to call off games scheduled for Friday night and Saturday morning.
NBL1 – the national second-tier competition – was set to begin on Saturday night but the league will now be suspended until at least April 18.
The Adelaide Easter Classic basketball tournament is also in doubt.
BSA stated the decision to stop matches was due to the Federal Government cancelling all mass gatherings attended by more than 500 people from Monday next week due to coronavirus concerns.
Norwood declared shortly before to the BSA announcement it would not be participating in any games this weekend.
Flames president Chris Webber told The Messenger the club had a duty of care to its members and wanted to give them as much notice as possible.
“We made the decision at 8.30 this morning and informed BSA,” Webber said.
“Going ahead with games would not have been acceptable and we felt the right move was to stop so there is more time to work things out.
“It’s disappointing to have to stop basketball but it’s necessary and the decision to act did not come lightly.”
Norwood’s top men’s and women’s teams were set to play North Adelaide in round one of NBL1 Central at the Lights on Saturday night.
In a statement on the BSA website, the organisation said it would “continue to work closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the safety of our members and their families”.
The Messenger has contacted BSA and the NBL for comment.
It follows the move on Wednesday by the world’s largest basketball league, the NBA, to suspend competition until further notice.
The remainder of the NBL finals series between Sydney and Perth will be closed to the general public.