With Regional travel from today once again allowed, we can advise that the NSWTA State Cup will go ahead. We state this with the knowledge that at any time, NSW Health can place restrictions upon us that may cause decisions to be made that could put the event at risk.

That said, we have received questions on our position on allowing double-vaccinated participants only to attend the 2021 State Cup.

The position endorsed by the Board is:

The NSWTA position on COVID-19 vaccination status for NSW Events will be in line with the prevailing Public Health Order at that time.

The rationale for this position is that, right throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have consistently followed the health advice from NSW Health and the NSW Public Health Orders. We will continue to do so.

It is important to note that while the NSW Government has put forward a Road Map for post-December 1, 2021, this is not the Public Health Order which is yet to be published.

As it stands right now under Public Health (COVID-19 General) Amendment (No 3) Order 2021, the following applies:

1. Under the current Public Health Orders:
o only fully vaccinated adults will be eligible to participate in the State Championships (noting that there is a 1,000-person limit);
o an unvaccinated adult is not able to attend;
o an unvaccinated adult is defined as a person over 16 years of age and not vaccinated.
2. NSWTA reserves the right to refuse entry of a participant if the person is not fully vaccinated and such refusal aligns with the Public Health Orders at the time of the event; and
3. The Public Health Orders may change between now and December 3, 2021, and NSWTA reserve the right to amend the conditions of entry in accordance with the Public Health Orders implemented from time to time.

This means that if the NSW Government makes the current Road Map, Public Health Order law on December 1, then unvaccinated people can participate. But if those orders are not implemented then, unvaccinated will not be able to play.

We would also advise and remind Affiliates that under the current orders, non-vaccinated persons are not permitted to play or train before December 1, 2021.

We will be preparing the structure and format of the State Cup to meet the current Public Health Orders and Road Map. We note that should the Public Health Order’s change to be in alignment with the current Road Map, we will be applying strategies on the event’s structure, format, and logistics to mitigate risks around both vaccinated and non-vaccinated participation.

We will continue to monitor the situation throughout the State, NSW Health, the Office of Sport and Sport NSW. We will communicate any future recommendations, changes to COVID-19 Safety Plans or Public Health Orders impacting our sport.