Please find below an update on the State Restrictions in force from 5pm tonight.

The most significant is that we have to wear masks indoors, unless eating or drinking. It therefore follows that everybody playing Snooker or Billiards MUST be wearing a Mask!

The following restrictions will be in place in Victoria from 5pm tonight:

• The limit of people gathering in the home will be reduced to 15 from 30.

• Masks will be mandatory indoors. If you are planning to leave your home – take a mask. It needs to be worn anytime you are inside apart from when you’re eating or drinking.

We all need to be COVID Safe – don’t go into the city unless you have a booking, wear a mask indoors, practice good hand hygiene and if you are sick – stay at home. https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/new-years-eve-restrictions

You can help by:

Directing people to the Victorian Government’s coronavirus (COVID-19) website for current information and updates: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/guidance-sectors

Keeping an eye on the locations where there have been infections and following the guidance. https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/case-locations-and-outbreaks

There is also a free QR Code Service which all Victorian organisations are invited to use to record details of visitors to a venue. The Victorian Government QR Code Service will assist the contact tracing team if a positive coronavirus (COVID-19) case is identified Victorian Government QR Code Service | Coronavirus Victoria

Additional guidance, including the COVIDSafe plan template, can be found at https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/sport-exercise-and-physical-recreation-services-sector-guidance

Please remember you can find more information and the latest restrictions as announced on Thursday 31 December at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au

Take care, and I wish you all a Happy New Year.

Paul Cosgriff - VBSA President

Discussions have been ongoing with the U.K. to ascertain how we might be able to see the Snooker live here in Australia. Contractual obligations with Eurosport have been a “stumbling block”.

With the World Grand Prix running till Sunday 20th December, the WPBSA have now provided Australian coverage through Matchroom Live.  Click on this LINK to be directed to the website.

You can get a "Snooker Pass" from 12th December to 4th January for $7 or there is a Monthly subscription available.

The 2020 Annual General Meeting will be held at the Yarraville Club (not Reventon Academy) on Tuesday 5th January 2021 at 7:00pm.

At the AGM, Minutes of previous AGM will be confirmed, Reports received from President, Secretary & Treasurer and Election of Office Bearers conducted.  Life Memberships and General Business, including tournament & pennant competition, will also be discussed.

Your attendance at the AGM is highly recommended.  Refreshment will be provided at the conclusion of the meeting.

David Chigwidden, Secretary.

A clarification has just been received for Sports & Recreation Victoria.  Initially, and pursuant to the latest Restricted Activity Directions, as of 11:59pm on 8 November 2020:

1. Physical recreation that is indoors and non-contact can resume for all (adults and children).
2. Community sport that is indoors and non-contact is allowed for those aged 18 years or below (children).
3. Community sport that is indoors and non-contact is not allowed for those aged 19 and over (adults).

The clarification has determined that casual/social play is now classified as “Recreation” and is therefore allowed under Section 1 above.  “Sport” is defined as an official competition endorsed/run under the auspices of the relevant peak sporting body and is currently not allowed for adults (Section 3 above).  Organised pennant or even club competiions are still not permitted.

There are restrictions applicable to such allowed indoor recreation, and they can be found at: https://sport.vic.gov.au/our-work/return-to-play/restrictions-for-Victoria.  For your convenience, they are copied below.  Club/venue managers are to pay particular attention to these requirements.

Indoor physical recreation (including classes,gyms and personal training)

Adults:

• Strict density quotient of 1 per 8m2.

• Patron cap of up to 10 per space and 20 per venue with a maximum group size of 10 per session.

• Patrons continue to wear face masks unless out of breath.

• Staggered class times and time gap of 15 minutes to avoid congregation and exceeding group limits.

• Required to have a COVIDSafe Marshal onsite. (Requirement now withdrawn as at 13/11/20)

Children (18 and under):

• Non-contact activities permitted where a distance of 1.5 metres can be maintained for a maximum of 20 people.

• Spectators are limited to one parent, guardian or carer only, where child requires supervision.

For club/venue managers, the latest guidelines on reopening can be found at https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-sector-guidance-arts-and-recreation-services#covidsafe-plan-for-community-sport-and-recreation

Indoor Community Sport, including Billiards & Snooker, has been opened for Under 18 year olds from midnight tonight, 8th November, BUT NOT FOR ADULTS and therefore the vast majority of VBSA members are still unable to play our game.  It is expected that it will be opened for all ages from Sunday 22nd November in line with projected "Last Step" further easing.  Contravention of these restrictions can incur a fine of $10,000.

This advice has been provided today by the Victorian Government.  Attached is the latest schedule setting out these restrictions.  Refer to the Indoor Community Sport section; 2nd page, middle column.

Please adhere to the current restrictions.

" A Tribute to the Anzacs VC - The 2021 Charles Upham International "

The Tribute to NZ Heroes Association has been extremely busy this year organising a snooker event between Australia & New Zealand to honour our great Anzacs who fought courageously for our countries. For our freedom.

The main purpose of this snooker event is to raise awareness of mental health of our Veterans and to bring back the enjoyment of being entertained by cue sports which was a favourite past time of service men and women around the world.  
 
Each year the tournament will rotate between Australia & New Zealand with mention in later years that England may join this elite event.

Please see the attached flier looking for your support for this very important event.  The Board of the VBSA strongly recommends this event.

The ABSC Anti-Doping Policy has been amended and is effective 10 August 2020.

The changes bring our sport in line with the establishment of Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) which has replaced the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) as the National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) in Australia from 1 July 2020. 

The changes are:

• Replacing the words Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) with Sport Integrity Australia (SIA);
• Replacing Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) with the National Sports Tribunal (NST) as the first-instance hearing body for all athletes and the  Appeals Division of the NST for appeals for ‘non-international level’ athletes;
• Amending the definition of ‘National Level Athlete’ to introduce the Lower-Level Athlete category to allow greater flexibility in dealing with and sanctioning athletes below International or National level; and
• Removing the Anti-Doping Rule Violation Panel.

For more details on the changes, please see the attached Factsheet

UPDATE 8/7/2020.  All Indoor Sport banned from midnight 8th July for at least 6 weeks in ALL Melbourne Metropolitan & Mitchell Local Government Areas.  VBSA Board to update as information comes to hand.

Following today's announcement by the Victorian Premier that Stage 3 Restrictions are to be reinstated from midnight on 8th July 2020, the VBSA Board, in conjunction with Sports & Recreation Victoria (SRV) and the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS), has decided to cancel ALL Pennant competition for the remainder of 2020. Apologies to those teams & players who submitted entries for Season 2; your efforts are appreciated.  Team captains will be contacted directly to advise this decision.

Further, it is very unlikely that ANY form of tournament competition will be possible for the remainder of 2020. 

Pending further advice from SRV & DHHS, it is also likely that local club play, either competition or social, may also be affected.  The VBSA will attempt to keep clubs informed of the extent & impact of restrictions as they are announced but Clubs are urged to make their own enquiries & practise due diligence in this regard.

Whilst this is a regrettable situation, the Board believes the health of our members & our communities is paramount and that we all should play our parts in responding to the challenges ahead.

Please read the attached directive from the VBSA Board regarding the Return to Play as COVID-19 restrictions are eased in Victoria.  Note that the VBSA requirements are in addition to the ABSC requirements, not in place of.

All enquiries can be directed to VBSA Secretary David Chigwidden

A copy of the ABSC Guideline and Quick Reference Guide/Poster is also attached for your convenience.

Dear Members,

As many of you would be aware the Federal Government through our Prime Minister The Honourable Mr Scott Morrison announced steps to reinstate community structure and ease COVID-19 restrictions.   This is to be done in three stages to be administered by the States via their own administration at dates to be advised.   The first step involves sports to a limited degree permitting small groups up to 10 only maintaining social distancing all the while.   Instructions handed down do not refer specifically to any particular sport.

This being in vogue represents to us a positive move to returning to normality in community functioning albeit specifics of our position is still undecided while we await our State Parliament advice.   This fortunately commences this coming Monday 11th May 2020 but its timing on the day in unknown.    Should any actionable advice arise from this delivery I will add an appropriate addendum.

The VBSA Board wishes you continued safety and good health, looking forward to cueing again.

Kind regards
 

David Chigwidden
Secretary