Kia ora all

Below is a Sector Update from Sport New Zealand, sent out this morning which contains new guidance documents and the Sport NZ Vaccination Policy. I encourage you all to read this information to determine how it applies to you.

A MESSAGE FROM BBNZ: BASKETBALL UNDER THE TRAFFIC LIGHT SETTINGS

With the Government’s release of the new COVID-19 Protection Framework, the rules around how we manage basketball activities under these red, orange and green settings are now becoming clearer.

A general understanding of what you can (and cannot do) within the traffic light map is available via the Government framework guides, dependent upon whether you use the Vaccine Pass system as part of a controlled entry process or not.

Thanks must go to Sport NZ for their recent work around the interpretation of this framework for the play, active recreation and sporting landscapes. Last week, they released more sport-specific guidance to help the sports sector navigate these new rules. This guidance includes PDF guides for general activities under the Red, Orange and Green settings, an FAQ around the Covid Protection Framework in the sports setting and a one-page PDF which shows the traffic light settings within different sport settings (gatherings and events).

The recommendation we have received from Sport New Zealand is to operate our events under the Vaccine Pass System, in the belief that it is safer for sports to operate under this system - and with less limitations.

For these reasons, Basketball New Zealand will be operating all our events under the Vaccine Pass System – this includes our Leagues, tournaments, conferences, camps and other basketball activities. We have also made the decision to have a Vaccine Pass as a condition of entry into our BBNZ offices from this point onwards. 

We are also passing this recommendation onto our member organisations. Again, the advice we have received is that as the traffic light system fluctuates between red, orange and green, operating under the vaccine pass system offers the most flexibility with less restrictions. That said, it is up to you to read through the advice and decide how best to apply it to your situation. We encourage you to review the above advice.

Should you wish to discuss particular scenarios, or if you need guidance around where your specific basketball activity sits within the new framework, feel free to email us via community@nz.basketball.  (Please put ‘COVID’ in the subject line).

Thank you for your patience as we considered how these new rules apply and how we adapt to operating within the new COVID-19 Protection Framework. We will continue to monitor the advice from the appropriate authorities including the Ministry of Health and Sport NZ, and will update you as required.

Ngā mihi

Dillon Boucher
BBNZ Chief Executive

Kia ora koutou,  
 
It’s been almost a week since New Zealand moved into the COVID-19 Protection Framework (CPF). Thank you to everyone out there in the sector involved in understanding and implementing the framework to allow sport and recreation to return and restart. 

COVID-19 Protection Framework drop-in sessions 
Sport NZ will be continuing to host weekly drop-in sessions in December from 10am-11am on Wednesday mornings. Please click the invite link below to join these sessions. Remember to review the information available on the Sport NZ website first, including the FAQ’s which cover the common questions being raised. 

Wednesday 15 December: 10am-11am

Wednesday 22 December: 10am-11am 

Guidance documents now available 
There are a number of guidance documents for play, active recreation and sport organisations available on Sport NZ’s website. This includes full guidance for each traffic light setting, and specific guidance on My Vaccine Pass, and guidance for events under the new framework. 

NEW: Guidance on using My Vaccine Pass  

NEW: Guidance on Events  

Framework table at-a-glance

Red setting – full guidance 

Orange setting – full guidance

Green setting – full guidance 

Don’t forget to check the FAQ document which is updated regularly. 

Templates for download 
Sport NZ has created some social media tiles which help to explain play, active recreation and sport settings in the traffic light framework. If you wish to use these in your channels, you can click to download here. 

Sport NZ Vaccination Policy 
Maintaining the wellbeing of all people and communities continues to be Sport NZ’s top priority. As such, from Monday 13 December, we will require those visiting our offices to be fully-vaccinated against COVID-19. This decision was made following consideration of public health advice, a workplace risk assessment and the duty of care we have for our staff, visitors, whanau and the community.  

This approach extends to Sport NZ staff and contractors working in our premises and any events we host such as Hui, forums and conferences. We recognise vaccination as the best way for us to provide a safe and supportive work environment for our people and those we work closely with. 

Our Vaccination Policy will be available on the Sport NZ website under the COVID-19 resources page.

Details and information on policy and a vaccination decision making guide can be found in the Aktive – Auckland Sport and Recreation toolkit. You can access this online here. 

As always, you can send questions to Covid19response@sportnz.org.nz or reach out to your Partnership Manager for help and support. 

I hope you get a chance to gather with your colleagues, enjoy some Christmas cheer and reflect on the great work the sector has done to get the country back moving again. 
 
Ngā mihi,   
Raelene Castle