Dear Members

We want to take this opportunity to thank all our Clubs, Schools and Members for your understanding and support in this time of uncertainty.  While we cannot provide you with any firm answers just yet, we want to assure you that when we do we will be in touch.

These are challenging times as we continue to adapt to enforced lockdown, not so long ago we were all training in anticipation for the 2020 season but things have definitely changed and changed quickly.  We all hope you have adjusted and settled into a safe and secure routine (or maybe none at all) within your bubble.

I am sure many of you are wondering what the season may bring if there is to be one at WNC, please be assured the staff and board are working hard to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on our game and for both the staff and players.  As you know the loss of a season will have a huge impact on WNC in all aspects of the business and we continue to take directive and advice from not only Netball New Zealand and Netball Northern as our main governing bodies but also from Sport Northland as the Regional Sporting Trust, and working with other codes.

You may have seen on the news that Netball Mainland Zone went into voluntary liquidation because of the impact COVID-19 restrictions will have on the business, this is sad to hear and our thoughts go to the staff of the organisation.  There was also an article on Stuff.co.nz where Netball NZ outlined the devastating effects this interruption to our season will cause not only to netball but a lot of other sporting codes.  Fortunately, WNC is in a relatively strong financial position but will need to manage the association sensibly and carefully over coming weeks to protect that position.

While the premises remains in lockdown we continue to work flexibly behind the scenes on scenarios which include a return to play for all our members.  We are making every effort to ensure WNC’s viability with the key being the support and flexibility of not only our staff but our clubs, schools and members.  There is a lot of information and noise out there from a number of sources and these need to align with our governing bodies.  Do not underestimate the work and dedication going on behind the scenes as we wait with the rest of our community to hear about what sport may look like for us all for the remainder of the year.

There are still a lot of unknowns but WNC will continue to work with governing bodies such as Sport Northland, Netball New Zealand and Netball Northern and other sporting codes to ensure community netball remains the priority.

WNC continue to post/share regularly on the Facebook & website pages and we encourage you to keep your players, coaches and officials engaged through this time by sharing those with them.  There are a number of webpages you can access for resources and activities, including the recently announced NETFIT partnership with Netball NZ, again we encourage you to share what you can so that members can remain fit and ready for if and when the ‘season’ begins.

We are all in this together, so let’s stay safe, stay in our bubble and do our part to so we can get playing netball again!

Regards

Paul, Rebecca, Natalie and the rest of the WNC Board