COVID 19: Australian Surf Championships, Sydney Sevens latest sport events cancelled

Last week it was the Coolangatta Gold cancelled due to the coronavirus. This week a major surfing and Rugby Sevens event have been canned.

Surfers have seen a lot of their events cancelled or postponed this year.

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The Australian Surf Championship in October is the latest event cancelled due to the coronavirus and follows news World Rugby’s Sydney Sevens rugby event is also off early next year.

Surfing officials confirmed the Australian championship at Port Macquarie has fallen foul of coronavirus and assorted restrictions in place to ensure the health and wellbeing of competitors, staff and spectators.

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The call has now been made to cancel the prestigious Longboard, Logger, Shortboard, Para and Bodyboard titles this year.

Port Macquarie will host the event next year.

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However, the event has been scheduled at Port Macquarie in 2021.

“Surfing Australia is gutted to make the call, in consultation with our state branches, to cancel the SAE Group Australian Surf Championships for 2020 in Port Macquarie. We look forward to seeing champions crowned and entry numbers boom in 2021 when the region hosts the championships again,” said Surfing Australia CEO Chris Mater.

The news follows advice that the annual Sydney Sevens event has also been cancelled in early 2021 - a major blow to players preparing for the delayed Tokyo Olympics.

Crowds at last year’s Coolangatta Gold event.

“Rugby Australia and World Rugby have prioritised the health and wellbeing of our players, and our fans, in this decision but we look forward to welcoming everyone back to Sydney in 2022,” Rugby Australian boss Rob Clarke said in a statement,

Other major events recently cancelled also include the Coolangatta Gold, the Sydney to Southport yacht race and the NSW state age netball championships.