State Melbourne netballers are set to travel to Queensland, despite a rise in COVID cases in that state.
The Melbourne Vixens are due to fly to Queensland for round 5 of the national competition after its match against the Firebirds was delayed on Friday.
Today, the Queensland Government announced that anyone who arrives in the state after 1am on May 26 must quarantine for 14 days from arrival.
But a spokesperson from Suncorp Super Netball has said: “the game is still going ahead.”
Suncorp Super Netball operations manager Bill Allen says that the league will continue to follow the advice of health authorities.
“The health and safety of players, coaches, staff, umpires and fans is our number one priority,” Mr Allen says.
The Melbourne Vixens have lost all four rounds this year, while the Queensland Firebirds won round two.
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Since 2019, the Vixens and the Firebirds have competed against each other five times and the Melbourne team reign supreme.
This year, the Queensland Firebirds are ranked higher on the ladder, already accomplishing one win and turning over a higher goal shooting rate than the Vixens.
The Australian Institute of Sport says that State and Territory Governments and their public health authorities are responsible for decisions concerning sports activities in their jurisdictions.
Murdoch University professor of tourism Jim Macbeth says that the cancellation of national sport is part of collateral benefit.
He says sports in terms of tourism are an essential part of Australian sociological culture and that it shouldn’t be affected because of the COVID crisis.
“In terms of social cohesion and the way people operate and think about the world and how they use their time, sport is very important in Australia,” Mr Macbeth said.
“It allows for a sense of normalcy within the Australian community.”
The Melbourne Vixens will play against the Queensland Firebirds on May 29 at the Nissan Arena.