Dear [[NAME]],

As a result of the rising case numbers of COVID-19 in NSW, the Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, announced last week that NSW Health will be updating the COVID-19 Safety Plan templates.

The below information from Dr Chant documents key changes that will need to be implemented by community sports organisations as a matter of priority. Updated COVID-19 Safety Plan templates are available from the NSW Office of Sport at the link here.

Please note that sport and recreation organisations are required to “Take all reasonable steps to minimise the number of spectators attending community sport events.”

What do State Sporting Organisations need to do?

Community sport and recreation organisations will need to update their respective COVID-19 Safety Plans detailing actions that will be put in place to address these additional requirements.

Where possible, it is requested that all community sports clubs and associations put plans in place to minimise spectators to parents and carers only. Measures that may assist implementation include:

• Limiting entry to indoor facilities and fenced venues to one person per participant at junior sport (where practical);
• Restricting spectator entry at adult community sport;
• Provide communication to participant databases via e-newsletters, social media and organisations’ websites strongly suggesting that only parents and carers should attend community sports activities where possible;
• Increase signage in venue carparks and at common entry points at outdoor venues;
• Make PA announcements (where the facility exists) at venues reminding people to minimise spectators to parents and carers where possible.

Will this proposed reduction in spectators at community sport events result in changes at major recreation venues for semi-professional and ticketed matches?

Due to major recreation facilities already requiring a more extensive COVID-19 Safety Plan and the environment being more controlled through measures such as ticketing and enclosed facilities, at this point in time there are no proposed changes for major recreation facilities. Organisations using major recreation facilities for ticketed events are reminded of the importance of adhering to their COVID-19 Safety Plans, especially in relation to the 1.5m physical distancing of spectators and the movement through common spaces such as bars, catering outlets and toilets.

Please remain vigilant.

We all have a part to play in protecting ourselves and those with whom we interact. NSW Health continues to monitor the situation. The Office of Sport and Sport NSW will communicate any future changes to COVID-19 Safety Plans or Public Health Orders that impact community sport.

Thank you for your support in helping to keep community sport COVID-19 safe.

With Timeout being over for Sport in NSW, the Timeout Talks - #unitedforsports webinar series also came to an end last week.

A collaboration between Sport NSW, The Australian College of Physical Education (ACPE) and the Office of Sport, Timeout Talks were designed to engage, support and unite the broader NSW sporting community during the pandemic.

Over the last 10 weeks, an incredible 16 episodes have been delivered, reaching over 2,000 people from metro and regional NSW to several different countries and international sporting organisations.

Sport NSW, ACPE and the Office of Sport would like to sincerely thank all who generously donated their time as panellists and facilitators during the series. The candid and insightful conversation from more than 50 industry leaders and experts has helped to connect all levels of our sporting community.

Some highlights from the series include

• 350+ registrations for Timeout Talk #1 - Inside Leadership in Sport and multiple talks with 200+ registrations
• 58 unique and varied presenters sharing their knowledge and insights
• Development of an online database of the Timeout Talks for future reference
• Wide range of attendees from CEO to Government, administrator to club volunteer, coach to high performance manager

All 16 Timeout Talks have been recorded and added to our Timeout Talks resource libraries. We encourage our sporting community to access these resources and share them with your own networks in time.

To access the Sport NSW Timeout Talks resource library, please click here.

Sport NSW have been collaborating with Volleyball NSW, Table Tennis NSW and Archery NSW to establish enhanced participation and developed pathways in the disability space.

These three Paralympic sports are looking to expand their club demographics and be more welcoming of participants with disabilities, including the wide range of sensory, physical and intellectual disabilities. This vision aligns with the recent training Sport NSW has undertaken with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and provides great opportunities for us to work closely with these State Sporting Organisations.

To truly adapt and enhance the opportunities in these sports club environments, sports must begin to integrate adaption through their future coaching and officiating courses. The obvious benefits are to attract future Paralympic representatives, however these three sports have a strong focus on bringing the fun back to their clubs and events and ensuring these opportunities are available for everyone.

Sport NSW will continue to support mainstream sports that open their clubs and programs to diversity, and look forward to building fun and sustainable inclusive environments for Volleyball, Table Tennis and Archery across NSW.

If your sport or club is interested in enhancing the participation and pathway opportunities for athletes with disabilities, please reach out to Sport NSW Disability Inclusion Manager, Murray Elbourn, at inclusion@sportnsw.com.au.

The NSW Government is helping kids get active with the Active Kids program.

The Active Kids program provides two $100 vouchers for parents, guardians and carers of school-enrolled children to use towards sport and active recreation costs each year.

Voucher 2 is now available and valid for use from July to December 2020.

Please click here to claim your voucher or read more information, including how to become a registered Active Kids provider.

Our partners, ACPE, have created a new short course to show their ongoing support for both individuals and organisations across our sporting community. As such, ACPE is delighted to introduce their new Undergraduate Certificate in Sports Leadership Development. This online full-time course is designed to provide professional up skilling, employment and participation in lifelong learning to those that are either currently working in the business of sport or seeking employment within the industry.

Enrol before Monday, 17 August 2020 to study an online 6-month Undergraduate Certificate in Sports Leadership Development with ACPE for only $400.

To find out more or register for the course, please click here.

The Resources for Regions program aims to support the ongoing prosperity of regional NSW communities by providing economic opportunities, improved amenity and positive social outcomes.

There is a wide range of eligible projects such as new or enhanced recreational facilities, walking and cycling tracks, sports facilities, local pool or other health and fitness facility upgrades. Larger scale sporting festivals or events, community programs and targeted skill development programs are also examples of eligible projects.

Applications for Round 7 are currently open and will close on Wednesday, 2 September 2020. Please click here for more information, including guidelines and the availabilty of funding. Please click here to apply.

The Business of Sport Summit is returning in December with a contextually-driven agenda to build business resilience.

The Summit has secured the involvement of the nation’s leading sport executives for a series of exclusive keynote addresses, complementing interactive panel discussions across two powerful days of case-based insight.

Register using the code SNSW25 to receive an exclusive Sport NSW 25% discount. This is your opportunity to join this influential event.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and Worldwide Olympic Partner Airbnb have announced a five-day summer festival featuring more than 100 Olympian and Paralympian Online Experiences hosted virtually by some of the world’s best athletes.

The festival will kick off on 24 July, when the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 were originally scheduled to begin, and is an opportunity for athletes to generate income while they share their passion for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and their sport with guests.

The line-up will showcase a variety of interactive online experiences that guests can book on Airbnb from 22 July including sessions on building resilience, sport after motherhood, workout sessions, cooking experiences and much more.

To read more, please click here and to book an experience, please click here.

The Sport NSW Sporting Grants Summary monitors available Grants (returning and new) from around NSW. 

Para-sport Equipment Fund
This fund is designed to provide opportunities for Australians with disabilities to participate and compete in Para-sport by addressing the challenges associated with the high cost of Para-sport equipment. Applications for Round 5 have been extended and will close at 5.00pm on Friday, 6 November 2020. Please click here to apply. For information on eligibility requirements and the selection process, please click here. For athlete testimonials, please click here.

For a full list - Download the Sport NSW Sporting Grants Summary.

Interested in a career in sport? or Looking for the latest volunteering opportunities?

For the latest sport and recreation jobs visit the Sport NSW Jobs Board available on our website.

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