Hockey Queensland has reached a decision on state champs in Gympie

The status of the championships was plunged into limbo on Tuesday morning (June 29) after Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced a snap three-day Covid lockdown for parts of the state.

Queensland U13 Hockey championships will go ahead in Gympie this weekend as planned, according to the latest Queensland Hockey updates.

Gympie will still host the U13 Girls State Hockey Championships starting this weekend, after Hockey Queensland elected to proceed with the state titles as planned on Wednesday morning.

The status of the championships was plunged into limbo on Tuesday morning (June 29) after Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced a snap three-day Covid lockdown for parts of the state, to take effect until Friday night at the earliest.

But an update posted by Hockey Queensland on Wednesday (June 30) revealed there was “no change” of plans to proceed with the U13 State Championships due to commence in Townsville and Gympie on Sunday (July 4).

“Given the low risk of the cases announced today and that there were no new cases in Townsville reported this morning, Hockey Queensland have decided to proceed with the expectation the lockdown restrictions will lift on Friday at 6pm,” HQ’s announcement said.

“Hockey Queensland will continue to stay informed and across the latest advice coming from Queensland Health and Sport and Recreation Queensland and will provide further advice if this position changes.

Gympie avoids snap Queensland lockdown

“Given that there were no outdoor State Championships last year, Hockey Queensland wants to give the U13 players every opportunity to compete this year. We appreciate the uncertainty some teams may have, please be assured we are considering the health and safety of the community and based on the information currently on hand, the risk is low if the lockdown lifts – as planned on Friday.”

Hockey Queensland directed concerned parties to useful contacts on the ongoing status of the championships:

Parents – please contact your Association to discuss

Associations – please contact CEO Alison Lyons or Community Hockey Manager Marc Wittmann

Appointed Officials – please contact Kerry Liebenberg

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The Gympie & District Hockey Association is expected to host a big influx of visitors for the four-day tournament, with 29 teams slated to compete across three divisions at the local hockey fields on Power Rd, Southside.