Community sport cancelled under new SA Government coronavirus cluster restrictions

SA athletes are in limbo, not knowing when finals will be rescheduled, as sports competitions and trainings are cancelled amid the outbreak.

Sports clubs and athletes across the state are reeling after having their competitions and training postponed again under a raft of new coronavirus bans.

Premier Stephen Marshall announced on Monday all community sport fixtures and training would be temporarily cancelled, including both indoor and outdoor sports, contact and non-contact, for at least two weeks.

Recreation centres and gyms were also forced to close under a raft of new restrictions as authorities launch a rapid response to extinguish a feared second COVID-19 wave.

SA’s National Premier League soccer preliminary final between Adelaide City and Campbelltown City was set to get underway this Friday night.

Cumberland United’s Juan Gutierrez takes on Adelaide City’s Nic Bucco during an NPL match in February this year. Picture: Matt Loxton

The winner was set take on Adelaide Comets in the title decider the following weekend.

State League One and Two preliminary finals (South Adelaide v White City and Eastern United v Gawler) were also meant to kick off this weekend.

All games have now been “temporarily suspended” and it is unknown when they will be rescheduled.

But Football SA chief executive Michael Carter said the state body was committed to completing the season and would do so if permitted.

It is the second time the 2020 soccer campaign has been postponed, with clubs playing four games this year before all sport was cancelled in March for three months during SA’s first COVID-19 wave.

Adelaide City playmaker Nic Bucco was disappointed and hoped the situation would improve quickly.

“It’s frustrating because everyone is beaming with confidence and once you win, you just want to roll onto the next game and win that as well,” Bucco said.

“We are staying positive because we have been here before.

“We know what we have to do, we’ve spoken together through WhatsApp and the strength and conditioning staff have spoken to us.

“We are ready to do our own trainings and stay fit to be ready when called upon to play again.”

Campbelltown City coach Iain Fyfe echoed Bucco’s thoughts.

Iain Fyfe in action for Campbelltown City last season before taking on the role of the senior coach. Picture: Ken Carter

“I”m disappointed for the players, first and foremost, because there’s been a lot of up’s and down’s this season,” Fyfe said.

“We are in a little bit of limbo.

“The boys have worked their socks off this year so I think a nice reward would’ve been making the final and completing the season.

“We’ll see how things pan out and I guess you need to stay optimistic in times like this.”

Adelaide Comets coach Barney Smith said it had been a long campaign after his side began pre-season training in November 2019.

Smith said not knowing when the game would get underway was “a horrible feeling”.

“Only those involved will know how much time and effort has gone into this season.

“The pinnacle for all players, coaches and clubs is a night at Hindmarsh and that’s what all the hard work and training is about, to try and get there on the final day.

“A thought of that not happening is just gut-wrenching.

“At some point I guess we’ve got to look at it and think there’s bigger things — the community and everybody’s health and safety is more important.”

West Torrens batsman Ryan Gibson celebrating bringing up his century during a Premier Cricket match against Woodville last weekend. Picture: Mark Brake

Premier Cricket was set to enter round four in the men’s competition and round five in the women’s Twenty20 campaign but they have also been postponed for at least the next two weeks.

Both the men’s and women’s 2019/2020 finals campaigns were cancelled due to the coronavirus first wave and the minor premiers for all grades were awarded the titles.

SACA Premier Cricket manager Steve Busbridge said it was an “unfortunate situation” but clubs were keen to do their part to stop the spread of the virus.

Meanwhile Schools SA was forced to cancel its SAPSASA athletics and swimming championships.

More than 1000 students from metropolitan Adelaide and country SA were set to participate in the events and about 1500 spectators were expected to watch.

A School Sport SA spokeswoman said the Education Department had also confirmed all school swimming lessons in pools had now been cancelled.

The SANFL also released a statement on Monday saying football clubs must stop any pre-season training, cancel any trials, registration days and events until further notice.