A Victorian government mandate for authorised workers to be double-vaccinated includes all professional athletes in the state

Sporting bodies in Victoria who didn’t want to mandate vaccination have had the decision made for them in a big state government move.

The AFL has contacted all Victorian-based clubs to inform them their playing groups must become fully vaccinated against Covid-19 in accordance with a new mandate announced by the Victorian Government.

On Friday, amid surging numbers of Covid-19 cases, it was announced all those listed on the authorised worker list released by the government, which includes professional sportsmen and sportswomen, need to be fully vaccinated by November 26.

The AFL has been strongly encouraging its players to become vaccinated but had yet to finalise its vaccination policy prior to the new mandate.

“This new vaccination requirement for Authorised Workers will apply to all AFLW and AFL players and football program staff of Victorian AFL clubs, as well as a small number of other people in the AFL industry,” an AFL spokesperson said in a statement.

“The AFL is awaiting formal Government directions on next steps and the AFL will work with clubs, the AFLPA and the broader AFL industry in the coming period so that we are ready for this important change, including with respect to the logistics of proof of vaccination.

“More broadly, the AFL is continuing to work with clubs, the AFLPA and the broader AFL industry to finalise and release its own vaccination policy for all AFLW and AFLW clubs, players and staff nationally in the coming weeks.”

The ruling impacts all sporting codes, with the cricket season about to begin, as well as the A-League and NBL.

The AFL has broken from the pack in mandating vaccination – statements from Cricket Australia, the A-League and the NBL on Friday did not confirm players would be required to become vaccinated, but all three codes are strongly encouraging it.

Most codes have conceded that only those who are double jabbed will be able to travel, play sport, or even attend major events.

Cricket Australia confirmed that every nationally contracted player, male and female, and support staff are already fully vaccinated and 98 per cent of all contracted domestic and BBL and WBBL players have had their first dose, alleviating much concern.

“Becoming fully vaccinated is vital for us to return to our normal way of life,” CA said in a statement on Friday in response to the Victorian mandate.

“Virtually every single professional player will be fully vaccinated by the end of this month.

“CA continues to work closely with state governments and venues to ensure the safety and wellbeing of players, officials and patrons at CA matches and events.”

Vaccination rates among A-League players are also close to 95 per cent ahead of their November 19 kick-off for the 2022/22 season.

AFLW players began pre-season training this week in Victoria, while those from the NBL and A-League are well advanced in their preparation for competitions, which launch in November.

The Victorian authorised workers list includes “Professional or high-performance sportsperson, workers that support the safe running of that person’s professional sport, and public broadcast personnel necessary for broadcasting the professional sport.”

The Premier declared the vaccination mandate was the best way for Victoria to exit its sixth lockdown as soon as possible.

“This is about going the extra mile to protect the road map to opening, to protect 26 October, or perhaps even a few days earlier, and to make sure we can open,” he said.

“So I expect there’ll be a conversation, for instance, with the AFL, where the AFL will be informed on behalf of all their clubs, that if you want to go back to pre-season training in a month’s time, you will need to be double-vaxxed as an authorised worker, even when after we get to 80 per cent (of the state population fully vaccinated) and the authorisations are no longer there.”

On the advice of the Acting Chief Health Officer, today we are making a number of changes to slow the spread of the virus, vaccinate more Victorians, and protect our health system. pic.twitter.com/BwAIBm8CvD

— Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) October 1, 2021

On Thursday, Western Bulldogs chief executive Ameet Bains said his entire playing list had their first dose on Monday and would be fully vaccinated before the grand finalists return to training.

“We didn’t necessarily mandate it, but at the same time, we didn’t have any players who had an issue with it,” he said.

A spokesperson for the NBL told NCA NewsWire the league would not require players to become vaccinated, despite the Victorian Government’s orders.

“The NBL is not mandating at this stage, but continues to strongly encourage all players, coaches and staff to get vaccinated,” the NBL spokesperson said.

Two NBL players have already been released from their contracts after refusing to be vaccinated, but there has yet to be any widespread pushback from athletes.

💉 ✌️ pic.twitter.com/V5SdCddwEC

— Scott Pendlebury (@SP_10) September 30, 2021

A-League players will be impacted by the vaccination mandate in Victoria. Picture: Robert Cianflone / Getty Images

Racing Victoria had already issued a mandate for industry-wide vaccination.

The Professional Footballers Association (PFA), the representative body for the A-League, W-League, Socceroos and Matildas, has yet to mandate vaccines among its playing groups, but is continuing to urge players to roll up their sleeves.

A spokesperson confirmed to NCA NewsWire that vaccination rates among A-League players were “close to 95 per cent”.

“Restrictions and protocols continue to evolve and change and we will continue to assess the impacts on players in relation to their Covid-19 vaccination status,” a statement from the PFA read.

“Following an extensive education program delivered with the APL, the clubs’ vaccination rates have to date been incredibly high and we continue to ensure players have access to medical advice and expertise as required.”

Originally published as A Victorian government mandate for authorised workers to be double-vaccinated includes all professional athletes in the state