How Covid restrictions will affect each of Darwin’s contact sports

Greater Darwin might be out of lockdown but there are still a number of Covid-19 restriction in place until next week. Find out how these restrictions AFFECT YOUR SPORT.

THE Darwin region may be out of lockdown but that doesn’t mean that restrictions are over with contact sport not allowed for a further week.

Contact sports such as rugby league, football or basketball are nearing the ends of their season but are not allowed to play or train until August 26.

Non-contact sports such as gold, cricket and tennis were allowed to resume as normal from 12pm on August 19.

NRL NT

The NRL NT has disallowed all co-ordinated trainings for the duration of the restrictions on contact sport. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The final round of the NRL NT home-and-away season was scheduled for this week but due to ongoing restrictions could either be postponed or cancelled with sides jumping directly to finals.

The NRL NT will be meeting with stakeholder clubs to decide the best solution in the coming week.

In the meantime the scheduled round 15 games are postponed and co-ordinated team training sessions prior to August 26 are not allowed.

“We have to expect that these sort of challenges will present themselves in the current global pandemic,” NRL NT general manager Nigel Roy

“We’re aware of the risk involved in these times and know that a lockdown can be put in place at any time so for us it’s about following the guidelines and making sure we are ready.

“Every option is on the table for what this might mean for the rest of the season so we will go through a consultation process with our stakeholder clubs to determine the best course.

“The message to our clubs is the same as always. We consider ourselves as beacons and leaders in the community and there are appropriate channels to report those not doing the right thing.”

DARWIN BASKETBALL

Only matches that have a bearing on the top four League sides will be replayed when the DBA makes its return. Picture: Glenn Campbell

All Darwin Basketball Association training and games have been cancelled until August 26 when the restrictions will be lifted.

Cancelled games will not be replayed unless the games will have a bearing on the top four of either the men’s or women’s League seasons.

“It’s always difficult to make these changes but it’s the new life that we and everyone else lives in,” DBA chief executive Kerri Savidge said.

“We have to go by the laws and we will honour and respect the rules that have been handed to us.”

DARWIN NETBALL

Darwin Netball sides will jump straight into finals following restrictions. Photograph: Che Chorley

Senior games will not be played at CDU Stadium in Marrara until restrictions are lifted.

Round 19 played on August 12 will count as the final regular season round for Premier League and Premier Reserves.

Senior games will instead jump directly into finals when the season recommences.

Trainings and juniors games will also not take place until restrictions are lifted.

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FOOTBALL NT

Football matches are unable to go ahead during the restricted period but Covid safe training is encouraged. Picture: Lou Reeve

As a close contact sport competitive football matches are unable to go ahead until restrictions are lifted.

However, training can still go ahead as long as a physical distance of 1.5m is maintained for the duration of the session and the Covid safe training methods are followed.

All junior and senior matches that were set to be played before 12pm on August 26 have been postponed and are likely to be rescheduled.

AFLNT

Pre-season training for the NTFL cannot take place until restrictions on contact sport are lifted. Picture: Julianne Osborne

Pre-season training for the NTFL will not take place in the Greater Darwin region until further notice, as per restrictions.

Darwin based Cazalys NT Thunder Academy training will not take place until further notice and the scheduled Cazalys NT Thunder NAB League Challenge match has been postponed.

Big Rivers community football matches and training will not take place in the Katherine region until further notice due to the announcement of a further 24-lockdown in the region.

The Toyota AFL Live Site Event in Katherine has been postponed until 2022.