After the Ministry of Health’s alteration to the capacity for indoor events, and BBNZ’s call to suspend all community basketball, we have come to the same decision.
Our official statement has just been sent to all clubs and schools from our General Manager, Clive Beaumont (20 March 2020):
I would firstly like to acknowledge the work which continues to be done by our National Body, Basketball New Zealand, in what are unprecedented and uncertain circumstances.
We should all remember that BBNZ imposed a mandate on all incoming NBL players some 24 hours earlier than the Government last week-end and they have constantly sought and divulged up to date information which they have obtained from the Ministry of Health and Sport New Zealand, on a daily basis.
Please remember when commenting on such matters that in times of uncertainty like these we must all respect each other’s decisions whether those are made by an individual, group or organisation. It has not been necessary to close schools and universities to date, it has been the case that CCC (and up until yesterday) all other Basketball Court providers remained open and available for booking, shopping malls are open and it is a fact that to date there is and has been no “community transmission” of the virus.
It has been important for the major associations to support this work and the position of BBNZ throughout the last week. Throughout the week MOH advice on community events and social distancing remained the same and this changed only yesterday. BBNZ acted immediately and suspended all community Basketball activity immediately.
In such circumstances, and based on sound information, CBA are now suspending events for the foreseeable future.
At CBA, we have already been looking at the season ahead (due to commence on 25th April) and we will be looking at various possible scenarios and then deliver a further message regarding the season ahead. We will communicate regularly with clubs as to whether it is likely to be delayed in its commencement.
In the meantime, take care of yourselves and your whānau, we will all get through this and Basketball will be waiting for us still when we come out the other end.
Ngā Mihi
Kind Regards
Clive Beaumont
GM – Canterbury Basketball
