Port Macquarie: NSW Health Minister approves Public Health Order exemption for State Cup Touch Titles
Port Macquarie’s premier sporting event, the State Cup, has been given an 11th-hour exemption by the NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard to go ahead. It will be hosted between December 4-6.
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NSW Touch Association has been given a last-minute public health order exemption to host one of its flagship events of the year next month at Port Macquarie - its State Cup Touch competition.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard approved a NSW Public Health Order exemption to the NSW Touch Association to host the 215-plus team competition that will be revised into four zones with each zone allowing for no more than 400 people.
Given the large numbers of participants, and the requirements to adhere to the Public Health Orders and NSW Health exemption and advice, the event will be played under the Arrive Play Leave Protocol.
It will also be a non-spectator event.
“We’re coming to terms with what will be a different event,” NSWTA General Manager Dean Russell said.
“However, we are thankful we have been granted the exemption from the government and excited we can continue with the event. Especially so in a year,where a lot of other sports have been forced to cancel their state championships due to COVID-19,
“Mens and Women’s A category teams will play in ‘blocks’ at Port Macquarie Stadium, so they might play games back-to-back-to-back then they’ll leave and the women’s teams will come on and do the same.
“It will probably mean that we’ll have to play under lights which will be the first time ever.”
The State Cup usually attracts anywhere up to 250 teams, however this will be capped to between 212-215 due to COVID measures.
“It is a year like no other, and we as an organisation along with our participants have to pivot to what is the new norm in 2020. There has been and continues to be a lot of planning go into the event to ensure we are providing a safe approach that meets the NSW Public Health Order and the exemption,” Mr Russell said.
“Indeed it is this safety planning that formed the bulk of our submission (To NSW Health) that has been approved.”
Acting Director Strategy and Growth, Liesa Davies said that Port Macquarie-Hastings Council was very pleased with the news that the NSW State Cup is able to go ahead this year in a COVID-safe manner.
“It has been a challenging year for many in our community,” she said.
“This includes businesses who receive a boost each December as a result of visitors for the annual State Cup, which is a well-known fixture on our local calendar.
“We look forward to welcoming players, extend best wishes to locals participating and thank the NSW Touch Association for their ongoing COVID-safe planning efforts to ensure the safety of both participants and our community during the event.”
The 2020 State Cup will be played from Friday, December 4 through to Sunday, December 6.