UPDATE FROM TENNIS NSW
Dear NSW tennis community,
Further to our update on the current restrictions below, we acknowledge that there is some confusion around private coaching and tuition, as stated on the Office of Sport website.
As a result, there are two frequently asked questions that we are seeking to address.
Firstly, the strong advice of NSW Government currently is STAY AT HOME. We ask that the tennis community within Greater Sydney supports and observes this request and applies common sense to the current situation. However, we are fortunate to have a sport that can be conducted in an outdoor setting whilst observing all of the COVID protocols e.g. physical distancing, minimising contact, regularly washing hands.
The Public Health Order does permit people to leave home for the purposes of exercise or recreation whilst you may also leave home for the purposes of work. Tennis NSW respect the right of people to want to play tennis as part of their daily exercise routine whilst we are also comfortable that a Coach or Coach operator may choose to continue to offer their services as long as they are delivered in a COVID safe environment.
1. Can Coaching continue?
It says on the Office of Sport website: “NSW Health advice is that no formal competitions or training sessions are to take place and no community sport (whether training or a match) in Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour should proceed. This includes coaching or tuition programs.
As per Division 2 and Schedule 1 of the current Public Health Order, people may leave home for the purposes of work if they cannot work from home (link here). Every Coach or Coaching operator must undertake their risk assessment and obtain their own independent advice as to their particular circumstances, noting that there are other requirements under the Public Health Orders that may be applicable to particular venues, as well as listen to the advice of our NSW government and health advisors.
2. Outdoor gatherings are limited to 2. Why are we advising 2 plus a Coach?
Division 3 of the current Public Health Order sets out the Minister’s direction in relation to outdoor public gatherings. These gatherings are limited to 2 persons, however that does not apply to a person who is engaged in work for the purpose of that direction. Therefore, Tennis NSW expects that private coaching of up to 2 persons would be permitted under the current Public Health Order. However, Tennis NSW strongly encourages its members to obtain their own independent advice as to their particular circumstances, noting that there are other requirements under the Public Health Orders that may be applicable to particular venues, as well as listen to the advice of our NSW government and health advisors.
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Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour Update
Yesterday, the NSW government announced a tightening of restrictions for Greater Sydney.
Under the current Public Health Order, undertaking exercise and outdoor recreation activities remains a reasonable excuse to leave your home. However, from 5pm, Friday 9 July:
- Outdoor public gatherings (including exercise) will be limited to two people (excluding members of the same household);
- People must stay in their Local Government Area or within 10km of home for exercise and outdoor recreation, with no carpooling between non-household members.
NSW Health advice is that no formal competitions or training sessions are to take place and no community sport (whether training or a match) in Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour should proceed.
Therefore the recommendation from Tennis NSW in regards to community participation is as follows:
- Singles play is permitted
- Private coaching is permitted (this is subject to two people gathering plus a coach). Coaching is permitted as a reasonable excuse to leave home for the purposes of work.
These recommendations are current as at 5.00pm Friday 9 July and will be subject to the release of the amended Public Health Order and any further advice from the Office of Sport. We encourage our members to consider the strong advice from the NSW Government to stay home wherever possible.
We also ask our members to refer to the current Public Health Orders and look to carry out strict COVID protocols at your venues including but not limited to ensuring all players check-in via the Services NSW QR code, masks are worn as required and observing social distancing. We remind our members that the current NSW Public Health Order requires that masks must be worn indoors and all indoor space must observe the 1 person per 4 square metre rule.
Please remember that the final assessment of whether a tennis club or venue can operate safely within the current Government guidelines does not rest with Tennis NSW and is the responsibility of the Club, Association and/or Operator. We can only provide a set of recommendations and guidelines to operate within based on the most recent advice from our Federal or Statement Governments.
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