Basketball, football and cricket in Great Southern to continue without proof of vaccination

Community sport in the Great Southern is set to continue without players being required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Basketball, cricket and football will continue their current seasons under the latest State government guidelines, including wearing of masks where required, however, community sport remains exempt from proof of double vaccination requirements as of January 31. The Albany Basketball Association has pushed the resumption of their 2021-22 season back a week after the announcement of the new mandates. The ABA plays its competitions inside the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre and initial advice was all patrons inside ALAC would be required to show proof of vaccination. However, that was clarified at the weekend with the ABA still falling under the community sport exemption, and proof of vaccination is not required to play. ABA president Rob Whalley said players on the bench, coaches and spectators will be required to wear masks. “No, we don’t have to be double-vaccinated, we are just following ALAC guidelines which is no one at basketball has to be double-vaccinated,” he said. “Basketball WA have put out that we have to wear masks so we are just following them as they are our governing body. “The initial instructions was that all players had to be double-vaccinated to play. “We only found that out three days prior to our season recommencing, so we were potentially going to lose multiple teams. “We would have to then re-fixture and then teams would have to find new players so we gave everyone an extra seven days to do it but then they changed the double vaccination rule. “We are just following the City of Albany and Basketball WA, what they tell us to do is what we will follow. “We just have to be flexible and it can change so quickly.” The Great Southern Football League women’s football season will continue with two rounds already being played. Masks are mandatory inside changerooms and club rooms but GSFL president Terry Eaton said there was no requirement for players to provide proof of vaccination. “I haven’t see anything from the WA Football Commission yet as to what the plan is,” Eaton said. “In the clubrooms I think we will definitely have to wear masks but as soon as you get a drink you can take it off so it’s a bit all over the shop. “Until I hear otherwise there will be no changes to the seasons.” Eaton confirmed at this stage men’s competition will also start without proof of vaccination, however, he said that can change quickly with further advice from their governing body. The Albany and Districts Cricket Association will also continue with players, spectators and officials having to wear masks in the clubrooms. “Cricket is easy because we have been directed from the WA Cricket Board,” ADCA president Eaton said. “People are required to wear masks in our clubhouse and changerooms. “We haven’t been outlined on the proof of vaccination yet.”