Melbourne Vixens to relocate to Queensland

Both the Vixens and Collingwood Magpies have been granted exemptions by the Queensland Government to travel into the state, with all athletes and travelling team staff returning negative COVID-19 tests in recent days.

The 14-day quarantine period will finish on Sunday 2 August, but the Queensland Government exemption will allow the two Victorian teams to play each other during quarantine to ensure the Suncorp Super Netball season can begin as planned on 1 August.

All Victorian athletes and staff in quarantine will be again tested for COVID-19 on day 4 and day 10 of their quarantine period.

With several quarantining scenarios discussed over the past fortnight, Suncorp Super Netball league management have also worked closely with the New South Wales Government over the past fortnight, to gain travel exemptions for the two Victorian teams.

Netball Victoria’s CEO, Rosie King, said it has been a difficult week with much uncertainty for all involved, but that today’s announcement was a positive step forward for the 2020 season.

“We’re obviously not the only sport to have faced some quite unique circumstances in recent weeks, or who’s players and staff have had to make a significant sacrifice in order for our season to go ahead,” King said. “However, we know the League and other key stakeholders have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure our sport’s premier competition can proceed as planned, which we are very thankful for.”

“Thanks also to the Queensland Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeannette Young, and New South Wales Governments Minister for Health, The Hon. Brad Hazzard, for their assistance over the past two weeks in providing exemptions for both us and the Magpies.”

“This year has obviously been incredibly difficult for everyone, but we are incredibly proud of our players and staff, and their continual resilience and commitment to both the game we love and our club.”

League management are continuing to monitor the COVID-19 situation around the nation closely, and are working on a revised and flexible fixture to kickstart the first phase of the 2020 season on August 1.

The first phase of this re-worked fixture will be announced within the next five days.