It is apparent that Athletics Wollongong will not be able to start our Summer Season of weekly Wednesday Meets from October 6th as originally planned.  Once we are underway again though, we will jump straight into the previously published calendar.

Given a shortened local season - and to encourage people back to our sport - the AW Committee has already determined that the 'club fee' component of registration cost will be lowered by $10 for Community, Concession and Open memberships.

Given recent Government announcements and the surety they provide, we will likely receive information regarding the registration opening date from our parent organisation, Athletics New South Wales, soon. 

They set the 'base' registration costs for each membership type and previously distributed these to clubs several weeks ago, keeping them the same as last year.  At a club videoconference soon afterward, the ANSW CEO was queried whether these costs may be lowered if the season is disrupted by COVID restrictions (at the time ANSW were determining reimbursements for Winter-Only memberships, following a 2021 cross country calendar that was mostly cancelled).  She said that it was something that they will consider, if necessary.  So while there may be some disappointment that registrations have not opened yet, it is actually good news: ANSW may consider charging for the season we get, rather than the season we had hoped for.  Meaning: potentially even lower costs and even more of a reason to join up when able!

So, what season may we get?  The recent NSW Government announcements regarding their 'Roadmap to recovery' can give us some indication.

Per the Sept 27th 'Roadmap to recovery' update: "From the Monday after NSW hits the 80 per cent (aged 16 and over) double dose vaccination target" restrictions will further ease.  Some estimates consider this may occur as early as October 18th. 

Note, however, that our meets are subject to both State legislation and the local conditions imposed at Beaton Park.  The NSW Government tends to announce things publicly well ahead of time but only implement the legislation and specify the requirements quite soon before they are to come into action.  Wollongong City Council have proven in the past to be reluctant to risk non-compliance fines and jump straight into things, so there's some chance we may not be able to get underway on the soonest possible Wednesday.  We will, of course, keep people up-to-date as much as possible through our website and social media channels.

Per the Sept 27th 80 PER CENT ROADMAP Fact Sheet, "the following [relevant] freedoms will apply only to fully vaccinated adults (16+) and those with medical exemptions":

• Community Sport permitted
• Up to 200 people can attend COVID-Safe events
• Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor premises and settings, except children under 12.  Only hospitality staff will be required  to wear a mask while outdoors (so you'll likely have to wear a mask on entering and transitting through the Leisure Centre but may take it off while outside)
• Unrestricted trips between Greater Sydney and Regional NSW will be permitted (so our eligible members should be able to attend our meets, regardless of how far they need to travel)

Furthermore, from December 1st:

• Community Sport is permitted for all vaccination statuses
• Mask-wearing will no longer be required (unless travelling on public transport, on planes and in airports, or for front-of-house hospitality workers)

There are a lot of 'nuts and bolts' missing (presumably QR check-in, social distancing and availability of hand sanitiser will continue to be part of the plan for some time yet), but this is very encouraging news! 

This is in addition to previously announced freedoms for vaccinated people once the 70% double-dose limit is reached (perhaps as soon as Oct 11th).  This may include the re-opening of the track (to those fully vaccinated and subject to Wollongong City Council's determination).  Ultimately, we won't know for certain until the actual rules come out, as some of those originally announced have since been shifted into the 80% freedoms.

In any case, we can look with positivity towards the future, as every indication is that Athletics Wollongong will be back on track in a matter of weeks!

Michael McClelland
Athletics Wollongong - President