South Coast Blaze COVID-19 Response

Following announcements by Netball NSW in relation to the management of the spread of COVID-19, South Coast Blaze regrettably advises as follows:

• South Coast Blaze Season Launch on 24 March will be postponed with date TBC;
• South Coast Blaze Exhibition Day on 28 March will be cancelled;
• South Coast Blaze Talent Identification Program will continue however will experience a delay in commencement, further information will be emailed directly to participants;
• South Coast Blaze Male Youth Program will be cancelled. Participants will be contacted in relation to their addition to the South Coast Blaze Talent Identification Program;
• Consistent with Netball NSW response, the South Coast Blaze Premier League training program will be altered noting that the welfare of players and coaching staff and prevention of the spread of COVID-19 will be paramount

South Coast Blaze reiterates its general COVID-19 Response Policy as follows:

General Policy

• People who have come from China, Iran, Italy or South Korea or had contact with a person with confirmed COVID-19 in the past 14 days are not permitted to attend South Coast Blaze events;
• People who have a fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath should refrain from attending South Coast Blaze events and should seek medical advice as per NSW Health Guidelines https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx.

Players/Coaching Staff

• Should a player or coaching staff develop flu like symptoms, please advise their Team Manager and quarantine themselves from training or South Coast Blaze events for 48 hours. NSW Health Guidelines should be followed in this regard https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx;
• The player or coaching staff should attend their General Practitioner and follow their advice as to whether a test for COVID-19 is required;
• The player or coaching staff is to advise their Team Manager of the outcome of the GP Visit and a Management Plan will be developed with the player or coaching staff on a case by case basis;
• Player confidentiality will be respected as far as is possible noting that the welfare of players and coaching staff and prevention of the spread of COVID-19 will be paramount;
• As with any infectious disease, personal hygiene is of the highest importance.  All staff and players are to remain vigilant with cleaning and hygiene and avoid shaking hands, kissing, sharing food and drinks and clothing. Additional hand sanitizers will be made available during training and events and the swapping of playing bibs and uniforms without washing garments first should be avoided;
• If players or coaching staff feel particularly vulnerable or concerned in relation to COVID-19, they are encouraged to speak to their Team Manager to work out an individualised approach for them.

South Coast Blaze will continue to monitor COVID-19 and update our advice as required.