The remaining 2021 Aon U13 Regional events have been cancelled due to Alert Level Restrictions and COVID-19, after the deadline for a decision on this event closed.
Alert level 1 conditions are required to host these events as the U13 Regionals do draw an attendance over the 100-person limit of Alert Level 2. Unfortunately, Basketball New Zealand did not have the required assurance that the nation will be in Alert Level 1 before the tip-off date of 13 October.
Basketball New Zealand has held off on this decision in the hope that the events could be played, but the community feedback we have received is Associations and teams need to be confident that Level 1 conditions would prevail across New Zealand by tip off with advance warning.
Associations and teams are seeking the decision now – two weeks before the event starts – because they need time to book accommodation, flights, cars and potentially commit to non-refundable deposits. And some Associations have told Basketball New Zealand they would like time to consider planning smaller and more localised events within the Alert Level 2 guidelines, should the Regionals be cancelled.
We understand this will be tough news for many young people who were looking forward to these events. Our hope is a return to a full schedule of national basketball events next year, and a great 3X3 season this coming summer where local communities can join together for the love of the game.
UPDATES ON OTHER BASKETBALL NZ EVENTS
Aon U13 Regional Championships | 13-16 October
- Northern Regional Championships. Eventfinda Stadium, AUT North Shore, YMCA North Shore, North Auckland. CANCELLED.
- Central Regional Championships. Pettigrew Green Arena and Hastings Sports Centre, Napier and Hastings. CANCELLED.
- Southern Regional Championships. EA Networks Centre and Basketball Mid-Canterbury Stadium, Ashburton. CANCELLED.
‘A’ and ‘AA’ Basketball New Zealand Secondary Schools Invitational | 4-9 October
Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North. CANCELLED (21 Sept)
Schick 3X3 Cup, ILT Stadium, Invercargill | POSTPONED from 14-16 October to the new date of 2-4 December. Announcement here.
Sal’s NBL | The Sal’s NBL women’s season remains on hold. The League is currently working with all teams on possible options and remains hopeful the competition will restart at Pulman Arena when it is safe to do so.
Four regional High Performance U15 Camps | scheduled for Labour Weekend. These are still scheduled, although we are considering alternative locations for the Auckland camp as a Plan B. The Auckland camp will be held if the region is in Alert Level 2. Basketball New Zealand will likely make a decision on this on Monday 18 October (five days before the camp).
3×3.EXE Premier New Zealand Playoff | Swish Factory, North Auckland. This event has been POSTPONED to 13 November.
BASKETBALL UNDER ALERT LEVEL TWO
With the increased gathering limit announced, the guidelines for operating basketball under Alert Level 2 have been updated and are available here.
All Associations should abide by these guidelines. A reminder that the 100 limit is the total within one competition. This means, for example, different pools or cross-overs are included in that limit throughout the entirety of the event.
Extract from the Guidelines…
- Competition Considerations to Mass Gathering Limits
If you are considering running a basketball event under a restriction of a gathering limit, you will need to consider a number of factors:- 100-Person Mass Gathering Limit
- If running a boys and girls event, personnel cannot mix with each event (e.g. the events may require separate floor controllers, referees, volunteers, controllers etc).
- Hosts could have boys playing at 9am and girls playing at 10:45am however between transitions of each subgroup, the event host would need to evaluate the venue and clean before the next subgroup enters the building. It may be easier to have the boys and girls events at separate venues, which would also ease pressure on personnel running the event, subgroups mingling and less time pressure.
- Creating entry and exit protocols and applying physical distancing while moving through the venue.
- In regard to courts, if using a multicourt venue, where possible, try to space the games across the courts to allow for physical distancing. However, you must ensure that the gathering limit is adhered to.
- It is recommended that the event is held without spectators to keep mass gathering numbers down.
- Participants and spectators are included in the mass gathering limit.
- Keep in mind who is in the venue and ensure staff are aware of your current limit inside the venue to ensure you are keeping to the gathering limit.
- An example of event/tournament may require the following number of people:
10 x teams (8 players + 1 management) = 90
- 100-Person Mass Gathering Limit
