BBNZ | COVID-19 Updates

In this update:

• Message to Associations
• Wage Subsidy and Leave payments
• Sports TG update
• BBNZ Sport Tutor
• HP Content
• AGM
• Awards
• Useful links

Dear BBNZ Associations,

Today we are all preparing for what we are required to do under the Government’s Alert 4 lockdown, beginning midnight on Wednesday.

Basketball New Zealand will be operating as best we can during this time, with the hope of getting through the next few months and planning towards recovery later in the year. In the meantime, we will be looking to work remotely and online.

We know you are currently facing some tough challenges, and we are still here for you to contact. Matthew and the rest of the BBNZ team is still available to take enquiries, calls and emails.

As for the game, there are opportunities for us to embrace the pick-up nature of basketball with those we are self-isolating with, or by ourselves. In the coming weeks we will push out online-content about basketball training and skill sessions, pieces looking at our history and our future, and education for administrators, coaches and referees. We must adapt and look for creative solutions in the next few months. Below you will see Sport TG have already started offering webinars in a similar vein.

Stay strong and safe, as we all do what is necessary to overcome COVID-19.

Tū Kaha,

Basketball New Zealand.

WAGE SUBSIDY AND LEAVE PAYMENTS

We know that some Associations have already had some success in applying for the Government subsidy and leave payments.

If your Association meets the criteria, you can apply for wage subsidies and/or leave payments by following the links below. We encourage you to read through this information promptly and apply if your Association can meet the criteria.

You can read more on the Wage Subsidy and Leave Support Payment Scheme through Work and Income’s website, see here. To apply online, follow and fill out the following forms:

• Employer application
• Self Employed/Contractor

SportsTG UPDATE

SportsTG do not anticipate any disruption to their services and will continue to keep us updated.

Despite the ongoing adversity, now is an opportune time to utilise the downtime to complete training, upskilling and/or planning in regards to everything technology related.

This is a good time to ensure your membership database is in order. A number of people have already requested a full breakdown of members that have entered their facility.

Daniel Dawick will be circulating additional information in the following weeks which will include:

• Future webinar dates (basketball-specific)
• Follow-ups from the recent National Roadshow (presentations)
• National Technology Survey (to allow us to better understand your needs and current situation) – how can we help
• A dedicated support section on the BBNZ website – links to information, handy tips and training resources

SportsTG will commence a lunch and learn webinar series starting today, 24 March – more info here.

For more information on any of the above please contact Daniel Dawick.

BBNZ SPORT TUTOR

The BBNZ online Learning Management System will still utilised during this time. Soon we will launch our first BBNZ created e-learning modules. These modules will form part of the theory component for our Kiwi Hoops Introductory Coach Course. Any aspiring coach (or parent) will be able to complete much of the course online. More on this soon!

HP CONTENT

Our High-Performance team are now looking at ways to provide some online training and development, similar to what is used in our national programme. This will be available for everyone to use and push out to their communities.

AGM

The AGM that was scheduled for 9 May has been postponed. Our constitution requires that an AGM be held once in each calendar year, giving us plenty of flexibility to push the date out. Our thinking is the AGM will be held later in the year, at a more meaningful and forward-looking time, instead of a bare-minimum tick-box exercise via technology. We will update you as we know more.

AWARDS

In line with the AGM postponement, the Basketball New Zealand Awards that was scheduled for 8 May is also postponed to a date that is yet to be decided.

MORE USEFUL LINKS:

• NZ Government COVID-19 webpage
• Moh COVID-19 webpage
• BBNZ updates page

The Sal’s NBL Women’s Board for the national women’s competition is considering a modified competition that could potentially start in May, or later. The season was originally due to start on April 29.

The season-opening tournament in Dunedin planned for April 30 through to May 2 has been cancelled for the Sal’s NBL Women and the D-League.

The Sal’s NBL Women’s Board is now looking at a modified competition for the Sal’s NBL women’s competition and the D-League.

The decision has been made with the health and well-being of players, team officials, staff and the wider community as the League’s primary focus, along with the health and sustainability of all teams going forward.

It is the Board’s view that a modified competition in 2020 is possible, subject to any changes in regulations being advised by the Government and Ministry of Health.

“This decision takes into account the livelihoods of our people. We have many people, including our players, who derive an income through participating or working in NBL, this is their occupation and we are very mindful of that,” said Sal’s NBL General Manager, Justin Nelson.

“We are dealing with an unprecedented moment in our lives and while it comes with a level of uncertainty, the NBL Women’s Board is working diligently to ensure the health and sustainability of the teams, the integrity of the competition and the well-being of players, coaches and employees is at the forefront of every decision.

“We are currently working on a modified competition, our aim is to start in May, but we will provide a further update by April 3 and go from there,” Nelson added.

Further updates on the Women’s D-League will also be made by April 3.

The Sal’s NBL Men’s 2020 season has been postponed.

The League is now considering the feasibility of a modified competition that could potentially start in either late May or June.

The decision has been made with the health and well-being of players, team officials, staff and the wider community as the League’s primary focus, along with the health and sustainability of all teams going forward.

The League is currently working on a modified competition with broadcast partners Sky Sport, all eight NBL men’s teams and key stakeholders.

It is the League’s view that a modified 2020 competition could only commence, at the earliest, in May or June. If circumstances change, including Government or Ministry of Health advice or regulations, the NBL Men’s Board will continue to assess its options.

“This decision takes into account the livelihoods of our people. We have a couple of hundred people, including our players, who derive an income through participating or working in the NBL, this is their occupation and we are very mindful of that,” said Sal’s NBL General Manager, Justin Nelson.

“We are dealing with an unprecedented moment in our lives and while it comes with a level of uncertainty, the NBL Men’s Board is working diligently to ensure the health and sustainability of the teams, the integrity of the competition and the well-being of players, coaches and employees is at the forefront of every decision.

“It is unrealistic in the current climate to commence the season, so in conjunction with Sky Sport, Sal’s and our valued partners, and all teams, we are drawing a line under our season as it stood but we will continue to consider the feasibility of modifying the competition and commencing later dependent on how things play out. We believe this provides us time and hopefully allows us to modify, adapt and move forward,” Nelson added.

The NBL Men’s Board has decided to cancel the NBL Pre-Season Slam scheduled for April 4/5.

A decision on the 3X3 National Cup scheduled for late May at ILT Stadium Southland will be made at a later date.

The Sal’s NBL Women’s Board will issue a statement at 12 noon today, Friday March 20.

This afternoon Health Minister Hon Dr David Clark stated that all indoor gatherings of 100 people or more must be cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In line with this directive, Basketball New Zealand is recommending to all its 36 regional basketball associations that community basketball (leagues and competitions) be suspended until further notice. Basketball New Zealand has also suspended the Final of the 3×3 Quest Tour and the 3×3 Tertiary Championships.

Basketball New Zealand Chief Executive Iain Potter says the limit of 100 people and the emphasis on social distancing means it is now time to shut the doors on organised community basketball, for now at least. He adds the suspension will have serious financial consequences for many basketball associations, but the community understands why this is necessary and will back the decision.

“We understand and thoroughly support the Government’s decision. It’s clearly a fast-moving situation. It’s important we all contribute and play our part to get through this together.

“This is a worrying time for many people and businesses, including sport administrators. Many of our associations have employees and will be feeling a great deal of uncertainty. We will continue to monitor the situation as it unfolds and look to see how we can support our Associations as best we can. We’ll also reach out to funders in the hope that they will continue to be supportive of our members through this difficult time.

“The wonderful thing about basketball is you can still play the game by yourself. This won’t stop the joy of the game, it just might be a little less formal for now. You watch, driveway basketball is going to be bigger than it ever has been” says Mr Potter.

Basketball New Zealand is currently reviewing all activities planned from now until July. Further information about the Sal’s NBL (men’s and women’s leagues) will be released in near future.

Currently international basketball for the Tall Blacks, Tall Ferns and junior representative teams are suspended. Basketball New Zealand has previously suspended or cancelled a number of events including BBNZ age-group camps, 3×3 Secondary Schools Nationals, and BBNZ coaching and refereeing clinics.

More information:

• Government website ‘Unite Against COVID-19’
• Read previous Basketball New Zealand updates around basketball and COVID-19 here.

MEDIA RELEASE ON COMMUNITY BASKETBALL

With many national sporting organisations cancelling their community sport activities in the regions (including cricket, rugby, netball, league and football) Basketball New Zealand put out this media release, outlining how we are dealing with basketball within the evolving COVID-19 situation. This maybe helpful to Associations when asked about their operations.

We are continuing to take guidance from the Government, Ministry of Health and Sport NZ.

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT PACKAGE – EMPLOYER COVID-19 WAGE SUBSIDY AND LEAVE PAYMENTS

Yesterday the Government announced a $12.1 billion COVID-19 support package for New Zealand businesses. You can read more on the announcement with further information here.

If your Association meets the criteria you can apply for wage subsidies and/or leave payments by following the links below. We encourage you to read through this information promptly and apply if your Association can meet the criteria.

Over $5 billion has been made available for wage subsidies and the COVID-19 leave payment scheme will also provide support (through employers/to sole traders and the self-employed) for those people unable to work because they are in self-isolation, are sick with COVID-19 or caring for dependents who are in either of these situations.

We note there will be more to come, with further work on support to be announced in the coming days and weeks.

Need more information? Where to apply?

You can read more on the Wage Subsidy and Leave Support Payment Scheme through Work and Income’s website, see here. To apply online, follow and fill out the following forms:

• Employer application
• Self Employed/Contractor

UNDER 15 APRIL SELECTION CAMP

The April U15 National Selection camp has been postponed. An email has been sent to all triallists outlining the next steps.

NATIONAL COACHING CLINICS

The National Coaching Clinic series have been postponed. Host Associations have been advised directly. Those clinics postpones are:

• Auckland: Saturday 25 April
• Tauranga: Sunday 26 April
• Wellington: Monday 27 April
• Christchurch: Tuesday 28 April

As a result of this disruption, the high-performance team have been discussing innovative ways to support coaches during this time. They are working on a number of new and exciting initiatives to keep the community coaches engaged over the coming weeks and months including remote development opportunities for coaches, as well as the re-scheduling of the National Coaches Clinic series.

ASSOCIATIONS, PLEASE CONTINUE TO PUSH HYGIENE ADVICE TO YOUR COMMUNITY

Any Associations that are continuing to run basketball within their regions, we’re asking everyone including referees, officials and players to preach the hygiene message. We are working with on guidance to help, which we hope to provide tomorrow. For now though, remember:

• Wash your hands
• If you don’t need to travel overseas, then don’t. Enjoy your own back yard for a time.
• If you’re sick, stay home
• If you sneeze, do it into your elbow
• Stop handshakes, hugs, and hongi
• Please be mindful of the older citizens in your life. Check in on them, but if you’re sick, keep your distance
• Anyone arriving from overseas must follow the self-isolation process
• Do what is best for you and your communities to keep them safe and healthy.

Protecting people’s health is our priority, while also operating within this situation as best we can. We will take actions to respond to the changing situation as expected by the government.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH INFORMATION:

We are asking our community to make sure they are up to date with the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 webpage, particularly the health advice for the general public section.

Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) is dealing with events on a case-by-case basis, as a number of other national sport organisations suspend community sport.

To date, BBNZ has cancelled or suspended a number of national events and travel plans for teams, while the COVID-19 situation continues to unfold. The 3×3 National Secondary Schools event has been suspended as have a number of junior age-grade camps, as well as suspending all their national teams’ activities in cooperation with FIBA.

During the Prime Minister’s press conference on Monday (16 March), it was made clear that gatherings of 500 or more were to be cancelled. The Prime Minister also stated that further prescriptive guidance around public gatherings would be issued, most likely this week. Sport New Zealand also reinforced in a communication to sports today, that there is no necessity to cancel events below 500 people, however guidelines for smaller gatherings are expected to be available shortly.

Basketball New Zealand is awaiting this guidance, while also closely monitoring the expert advice from the Ministry of Health, the Government and talking with other advisors such as Sport New Zealand about the COVID-19 situation that is unfolding.

“With the situation constantly evolving, we are monitoring the advice from experts every hour. Currently we are not asking our Associations to cease community basketball, although it remains their choice.

“The Government’s prescriptive guidance on mass gatherings and events should be released any day now, which will help inform organisations that run community-based activities.

“We have cancelled some projects that have larger gatherings, but we are not at the point where we expect smaller localised basketball to be suspended. There is always the possibility we will reach that point and we are prepared to act if required,” says Mr Potter.

Basketball New Zealand has been sending out MoH hygiene advice and recommended practices to its community regularly. Mr Potter says BBNZ is also taking into account that many community facilities and organisations are still open, like schools, clubs and bars.

“Our Associations are running small community competitions, these do not attract large crowds, so the continuation of community basketball is well within current Government expectations,” says Potter.

“The concern for many is to do the wrong thing and allow the virus to spread. We want to reassure people that Basketball New Zealand is taking this situation very seriously. For example, BBNZ required self-isolation of all overseas NBL players, which was put in place 24 hours before the Government’s requirement – so we are trying our best to be proactive while also being practical.

“The discussion of suspending community sport events is not one we are taking likely. Of course, the health and wellbeing of our community is our priority, while also operating in this environment as best we can, and within the expert guidance of higher authorities like the Government and Ministry of Health,” says Mr Potter.

BBNZ UPDATE 8

Please find changes to more events below.

Our focus continues to be the safety and wellbeing of our athletes, staff and community. We are actively following advice issued by the New Zealand Government.

UNDER 14 CAMP

Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation, the BBNZ Under 14 Camp that was set to take place at Tui Ridge in Rotorua (16-19 April) has been cancelled for 2020. The associated tour to Melbourne will not proceed also.

A full refund of your camp fee will be made. An email has been sent to participants’ contacts outlining the process for this.

JUNIOR TALL BLACKS – Albert Schweitzer Tournament

We have been advised that the Albert Schweitzer Tournament has been cancelled.

Of course we are disappointed that our team will not be able to participate in the prestigious tournament, but we support this decision. It is also in alignment with FIBA’s decision to suspend all its competitions.

UNDER 17 WORLD CUP – BOYS

As reported last week, FIBA took the decision to cancel the FIBA U16 Asian Championships due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. As a result, FIBA decided that the top four Asian teams to qualify for the U17 World Championships from the Asian region would be based on the highest ranked countries according to the FIBA Youth Rankings. After the final calculations New Zealand and Japan (boys) were tied on equal points as the fourth best team. On Friday 13 March, FIBA suspended all FIBA competitions.

Once FIBA operation resume, BBNZ will discuss with FIBA how that fourth best-placed Asian team qualifies to attend the U17 World Championships. When we have that information, BBNZ will communicate the next step. Given the uncertainty of the COVID-19 situation, we are yet to have a timeline in place for this decision.

UPDATE ON SECONDARY SCHOOLS 3X3 CHAMPS

Following yesterday’s announcement from the Government that gatherings and events of over 500 people should be cancelled, the board of School Sport New Zealand (SSNZ) confirmed that all events on their national calendar are suspended. This means the 2020 Secondary Schools 3X3 Champs will not go ahead on 1-3 April.

The possibility of rescheduling this event in 2020 will be discussed with SSNZ at a later date

We understand that schools may have travel and accommodation bookings for these tournament dates, and payments may have been made with the possibility to be refunded if cancelled within a certain date. We suggest schools make contact with the accommodation or travel operators to cancel bookings.

BBNZ will provide full refunds to those schools who have paid the tournament entry fee. An email has been sent to schools outlining the process for this.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH INFORMATION:

We are asking our community to make sure they are up to date with the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 webpage, particularly the health advice for the general public section.

REMEMBER:

• Wash your hands
• If you don’t need to travel overseas, then don’t. Enjoy your own back yard for a time
• If you’re sick, stay home
• If you sneeze, do it into your elbow
• Stop handshakes, hugs, and hongi
• Please be mindful of the older citizens in your life. Check in on them, but if you’re sick, keep your distance
• Anyone arriving from overseas must follow the self-isolation process
• Do what is best for you and your communities to keep them safe and healthy.

Protecting people’s health is our priority, while also operating within this situation as best we can. We will take actions to respond to the changing situation as expected by the government.

With the current COVID-19 situation evolving, Basketball New Zealand is following the guidance from the Ministry of Health (MoH) and we will be making decisions with government advice at the forefront.

Protecting people’s health is our priority, while also operating within this situation as best we can. We will take actions to respond to the changing situation as expected by the government. For now, the government advice to New Zealanders is listed on the MoH COVID-19 webpage. Some of their key messages to New Zealanders is:

• Wash your hands
• If you don’t need to travel overseas, then don’t. Enjoy your own back yard for a time.
• If you’re sick, stay home
• If you sneeze, do it into your elbow
• Stop handshakes, hugs, and hongi
• Please be mindful of the older citizens in your life. Check in on them, but if you’re sick, keep your distance
• Anyone arriving from overseas must follow the self-isolation process.

BBNZ EVENTS AND GOVERNMENT ADVICE AROUND EVENTS:

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has made a statement this evening saying mass gatherings over 500 people should be cancelled. The Prime Minister added that, later in the week, further guidance will be issued for event organisers about how they can mitigate issues around gatherings, or if the event should be cancelled. We are awaiting that information. For now, the following is the status of our events that are coming up in the next four weeks.

3×3 SECONDARY SCHOOLS:

• School Sport New Zealand (SSNZ) has suspended all events on the SSNZ calendar (as of 8:30pm this evening), including the 3×3 Secondary Schools Championships.
• SSNZ will review this decision on Monday 6 April.
• We will continue to communicate with SSNZ and, at a  suitable time, discuss any possibilities of rescheduling this event in future.

3X3 QUEST TOUR FINAL IN CHRISTCHURCH:

• This event is currently planned for 28 March.
• This is a small event with no more than 32 New Zealand-based players expected.
• However we will make a decision about this event once we consider the event guidance to be issued by the Government.
• We will continue to monitor and take advice from MoH.

SAL’S NBL:

• The NBL is awaiting the release of further guidance around events from the Government.
• The League continues to be in constant contact with the teams. We will further discuss next steps for season 2020 once the Government’s guidance around events has been issued.
• Anyone arriving from overseas must follow the self-isolation process.
• The NBL will continue to make the health of our players, fans and the wider community the highest priority.
• The NBL is following advice from MoH
• We will continue to keep people updated here and in the NZNBL.basketball website

MESSAGE FOR ASSOCIATIONS:

• Please keep in touch with Basketball New Zealand before making decisions like cancelling or postponing events, or any major decisions you are considering around COVID-19 so that we can keep abreast of what’s happening nationally.
• Associations can contact Matthew Ruscoe (matthew@nz.basketball) if there are issues you wish to discuss.
• We await more information from the Government around events, which is expected later this week.

FIBA EVENTS

• All FIBA events have been suspended.
• FIBA says they will continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis and will evaluate the options for the continuation of the respective competitions when and if the situation allows for it.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH INFORMATION:

We are asking our community to make sure they are up to date with the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 webpage, particularly the health advice for the general public section.

The Sal’s New Zealand Basketball League (NBL) has taken steps to proactively address the threat of COVID-19.

It will be a mandatory for all players and team management who are arriving from overseas to follow the Ministry of Health’s self-isolation guidance, regardless of which country they are arriving from. That is currently stated as 14 days on the MoH website.

NBL General Manager, Justin Nelson, says that with sporting leagues and events being cancelled or suspended around the world, the NBL has chosen to be proactive in the hope of protecting the community, including fans, teams, and the League.

“The health and safety of our players, coaches and team staff is paramount, particularly at this time during our preparations for the coming season. But it is also a business decision. We have seen other sports around the world suspending all activity when a player has been diagnosed with COVID-19. If a case was brought into the NBL community, it would affect the League’s ability to play games. The ramifications of that possibility are significant, and we are taking this very-real threat seriously.

“It appears New Zealand is fortunate that cases have been kept to a minimum and people appear to be following self-isolation requests if they feel unwell. In the current climate we may still be able to play a full season and broadcast all games. We are making this call to try and protect that,” says Mr Nelson.

The NBL says more than 50 of the League’s players across both the men’s and women’s leagues are arriving from overseas in the coming weeks, including New Zealand citizens. Nelson says the NBL does not want any players arriving from overseas to show up to practice without being cleared.

“We realise this is a step up in what’s currently required from others arriving from abroad, but we have decided it’s best to be proactive.”

Nelson adds that announcing this precaution now gives the teams time to consider how best to manage their risks and discuss options with their players arriving from overseas. It also gives players the option to get to New Zealand early should they wish to start in game one of the season. Round one of the NBL tips off 9 April.

“The teams are understanding despite this being unsettling for them. The teams are now reaching out to players to discuss options, but we apologise if players are finding this out through the media first – we decided it was best to get this decision out quickly so that our messages are clear as to why we are taking this step,” says Nelson.

The NBL are continuing to monitor updates from the NZ government and the Ministry of Health. Nelson says the NBL has also consulted Basketball New Zealand’s Medical Director, who backs the decision as a strong but important precaution.

“We’ve seen other sporting competitions around the world facing big challenges due to COVID-19.  This decision is to ensure the best preventative measures are in place and right now we fully expect the Sal’s NBL season to proceed from Thursday 9 April” says Nelson.

Basketball New Zealand has a number of other tournaments planned in the coming months, to be held throughout New Zealand. Basketball New Zealand Chief Executive Iain Potter says the organisation is closely following advice from the experts.

“We are still monitoring the advice from the New Zealand Government and Ministry of Health. At this stage we are proceeding with our planned national events. We will be taking precautions around these including the promulgation of government advice around hygiene and preventative measures,” says Potter.

More information:

• Ministry of Health’s self-isolation guidance
• Further information on COVID-19 from Ministry of Health

FIBA has just announced that all FIBA competitions are suspended as of tomorrow, Friday, 13 March 2020.

FIBA said in their media release that this is in consideration of the current situation with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and in order to protect the health and safety of players, coaches, officials and fans.

FIBA added that they will continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis and will evaluate the options for the continuation or not of the respective competitions when and if the situation allows for it.

The New Zealand and Japan Under 17 boys’ teams are to playoff for qualification to the FIBA Under 17 World Cup.

Following the cancellation of the FIBA Under 16 Championships, FIBA resorted to reviewing the junior World Rankings, which saw Japan and New Zealand sitting 27^th equal in Asia. The top four teams in Asia qualify for the World Cup, with Australia (#11), China (#14) and Korea (#19) advancing.

Japan and New Zealand will play each other in a neutral location and date yet to be decided.

More in the FIBA release here: http://www.fiba.basketball/world/u17/2020/news/draw-set-for-fiba-u17-basketball-world-cup-2020

Last night FIBA released a statement advising a number of events have been cancelled or postponed due to the ongoing developments of the COVID-19 virus, which included the cancellation of the FIBA U16 Asian Championships.

Boys’ and girls’ New Zealand representative teams were scheduled to compete at these events, in attempt to finish within the top four teams in Asia to qualify for the FIBA U17 World Cup later this year.

Due to the cancellation of the U16 Asian Champs, FIBA have resorted to updating the World Rankings overnight to decide which top four teams in Asia will qualify for the World Cups.

Unfortunately the New Zealand girls team was ranked sixth in Asia, one place behind Chinese Taipei. This means they will not proceed to the U17 World Cup this year. The girls’ FIBA U17 World Cup draw has been released overnight.

The boys ranking points sees New Zealand equal with Japan at 27 in the world. This means they are in contention for the final spot at the World Cup. FIBA are yet to state which of these teams will qualify, but Basketball New Zealand is set to discuss this situation in a meeting with FIBA and the Japanese Basketball Federation this evening.

Player welfare and safety for our teams remains our priority and we will continue to follow guidance from health experts and FIBA.

Basketball New Zealand has been monitoring the COVID-19 situation on a daily basis and will continue to do so.

We are closely following the advice of the New Zealand Ministry of Health (MOH). This is the first place you should check for the latest updates. Their dedicated Healthline number for COVID-19 is 0800 358 5453.

Here is some BBNZ-specific information and further links you may find helpful.

Tournaments and Leagues

We are planning on the basis that it will be business as usual until we know differently. We have pandemic policies in place from previous instances, such as measles, and will continue to liaise closely with event hosts and sanctioning bodies.

If you are hosting events or leagues of any kind, the MOH has guidelines that can be seen here.  It should be noted that many insurance companies are not including COVID-19 in event cancellation insurance. You may wish to check directly with your insurer.

International Events

We are in regular communication with FIBA about the many international events that we have commitments to. These include the U16 Asia Champs, 3×3 Olympic Qualifiers, Men’s 5×5 Olympic qualifiers, U18 Asia Champs, U18 3×3 Worlds, etc.

The U16 Asia Champs have been cancelled. The 3×3 Olympic Qualifiers have been postponed. We will continue planning for the other events as if they will go ahead (because we have to assume that they will), but at the same time are assessing the implications of cancellations or postponements.  We are expecting that at least some events will be cancelled or postponed given the spread of the virus and the consequent responses from various governments.

We appreciate your understanding with this level of uncertainty and will advise affected parties as (and if) situations change. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) travel advisories can be viewed here.

Workplaces

A common-sense approach should be employed, with heightened importance placed on personal hygiene. Again, the MOH provides guidelines in their advisory. You may wish to increase the hand hygiene signage in your bathrooms, particularly in gyms, stadiums and high-traffic public areas.

As always, if you have any queries, please contact the relevant BBNZ staff member.

Tonight, FIBA has sent out a media release advising of a number of events that have been cancelled or postponed due to the ongoing developments of the COVID-19 virus.

The tournaments that effect our New Zealand teams include the FIBA 3×3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament, and the FIBA U16 Aisan Championships.

Basketball New Zealand will continue communicating with FIBA and we are awaiting further information about what the qualification process might be from here, if our teams are to compete for a spot in the U17 World Cup and the 3×3 event at the Olympics.

Player welfare and safety for our teams remains our priority and we will continue to follow guidance from health experts and FIBA.

Read the full FIBA media release here: http://www.fiba.basketball/news/changes-made-to-several-fiba-events-due-to-covid-19-virus