Hello Mackay Basketball Members and Families,
We hope that you are all dealing well through the uncertain times bought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. This is the latest update around Basketball to keep you informed as best we can.
Office Open While Courts Closed to Staff & Workers Only
The office at McDonald’s Mackay Stadium is open between the hours of 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, to staff and workers only. Please note that the facility remains closed during these unprecedented times.
Once MBI gets the green light from Government and Health authorities to resume activities we will be ready to go. How the actual competition setup will be is still an unknown due to the limbo period.
During Stage 1 of the restriction easing our facility still must be locked down.
We are waiting on some further clarity regarding the restrictions for Stage 2 (up to 20 people), which commences on 12 June. Basketball Queensland are working with Government to ascertain 20 people per court, or 20 per whole facility, which obviously makes a tremendous difference. Also, the contact vs non-contact stipulations are still be addressed for basketball specific training and competition, so at this point Mackay Basketball will await further advice.
Stage 3 notionally comes into effect on July 10 for groups up to 100. Obviously, the same questions need to be answered around this. Our MBI Executive and Staff plan on having a consultation meeting with club delegates in June to discuss possible competition scenarios and fees.
One thing we can be certain of, is there will be COVID-19 protocols and restrictions in place when we finally get rolling. Limiting spectator numbers, along with hand washing and sanitizing procedures, ball and score tablet disinfecting, separate entry and exit points, “get in-get out practices” (once your game is completed 5 minutes to exit facility) and social distancing protocols to list a few.
When we are ready to go, Mackay Basketball want all our members to know that the protocols in place are mandatory and if we all do the right things, we will get through the pandemic.
Representative Program Update
As you are probably aware, BQ recently asked participants who will be attending the Under 12, 14 and 16 State Championships to complete a second survey so that they could gauge their propensity to attend the 2020 Championships. BQ presently, in a revised plan have postponed all representative dates to at least August. They will make a final decision on these dates and competitions sometime in July. Therefore, there will be no representative basketball played until at least after the July school holidays.
BQ is hoping to hold state championship events for all age groups in the September/October school holiday period. Also, they would like to host a QNJBC event if possible before any state championship to give the children some game play together. Obviously, there is a lot of regulations and restrictions to get through before this can be solidified.
As soon as BQ advises MBI of any decisions/updates we will let you know asap. During this time please refrain from contacting Lukass as he will advise all teams on any decisions as we know about them.
Member Survey
As stated in the last update, a survey was sent out to all members. Thank you to those of you have completed the survey.
New Website
MBI is developing a new and improved website during this shutdown period. This is currently under production and is due for roll out within the next 2 weeks. We will advise when it is ready for use.
Grandstand Project
Our new corporate grandstand has been coming along well, even withstanding some supply issues due to Covid-19 and will be completed before we are back and operational. We hope you all follow the Mackay Basketball Facebook page which has been supplying weekly updates, with a comical approach to you all.
The stand has been painted, the carpet laid, and the seats installed. Now we are at the point where the underneath portion is to be completed.
Stay tuned for our next update coming shortly and please continue to stay safe.
The Mackay Basketball Team