Western Australia’s State Sporting Organisations (SSOs) have come together to ensure the preservation of community sport in the State.
With the traditional winter sports of Netball, Basketball, AFL and Football all being significantly impacted by COVID-19, the sporting community is now looking forward in preparation of its return later in 2020.
Netball WA Chief Executive Officer Simon Taylor said it was critical at this moment that sports work together to ensure that both the interests of members and the future sustainability of the industry are balanced.
“Like many of our members, sport organisations have not been immune to the financial pressures that the COVID-19 outbreak has created,” Taylor said.
“Today, Netball WA, Football West, the West Australian Football Commission and Basketball WA have announced a collaborative and consistent approach to ensuring that sport remains sustainable and accessible, once the coronavirus outbreak passes.”
“We are committed to getting back on the courts and fields at some point this year, once the restrictions are lifted, and we know that will be a momentous occasion for our more than 935,000 passionate participants around the State.”
The WA Football Commission was proud to support the joint approach in the interests of both the current and future state of grassroots sport.
“We know how passionate West Australians are about sport, and that sport will play a critical role in reconnecting communities when we come out the other side,” WA Football Commission CEO Gavin Taylor said.
“We are all in this together and it is important to share knowledge and expertise for the benefit of all sports and the wider community. When the green light is given for sport to resume, we will make sure we are all prepared, collaborate where possible and bring sport back to communities right across WA.”
Basketball WA Chief Executive Officer Rob Clement said all the organisations were committed to the protection of their members and participants.
“I have no doubt that 2020 will be remembered as one of the toughest years in our sport’s history,” Clement said.
“Our members are critical to the financial sustainability of our sport, and their fees allow us to deliver essential services and programs. Without our passionate members, our sport does not exist.”
Football West CEO James Curtis said football was united with WA’s winter sports in approaching the challenge collectively.
“The innovation shown by our fellow SSOs in coming together in this time of crisis, is something we should be very proud of, and over the coming months, we will continue to work to ensure the sustainability of our respective sports.”
“Sport is going to play a critical role in reinvigorating the health and wellbeing of our community and we want to make sure we are in a position to deliver on this commitment.”
The SSOs, in collaboration with SportsWest, will continue to work together and innovate over the coming months to ensure that sport remains a sustainable option for all West Australians, once the COVID-19 outbreak ceases to exist.
