Tight COVID-19 restrictions have crept back into the Blue Lake City and the Limestone Coast sporting world enters the weekend under a cloud of uncertainty.
After Mount Gambier recorded its first COVID-19 case of the year, the three local government areas – Mount Gambier City, Grant District and Wattle Range – entered Level 3 requirements following an SA Government press conference on Monday afternoon.
There was initially some confusion as to whether sport could take place after the new restrictions came into effect.
However, the latest South Australia Police Updated Activities Associated Direction outlined restrictions only prevent crowds from the venues and not the action itself.
“No spectators are permitted at a sporting event or sports or fitness training unless they are a care-giver to the person participating,” it read.
“Only one caregiver is permitted per person.”
Although play can continue, the ban on crowds is still a significant blow for some summer sports just starting to swing into gear and the longevity of the restrictions could have wide-reaching impacts on the season ahead.
Sadly some local sporting organisations have already been forced to cancel training sessions and events, while more bad news could follow in the coming days.
However, there will still be plenty of sport played this weekend.
A ban on spectators will not stop one of the most popular summer sporting competitions from rolling into life and completing the opening round.
The 2021-22 Lower South East Bowls Association season has been given the green light to play and the mid-week Pennant Open competition kicked off last night in Millicent and Mount Gambier, while the high-stakes Friday and Saturday Pennant seasons are primed for take-off.
LSEBA president Ian von Stanke said the new restrictions were not enough to stop the 72 teams from hitting the greens over three days of action.
“I got onto the COVID hotline and it was misrepresented on the news because sport has not been banned, so Wednesday, Friday and Saturday bowls are on,” he said.
“There will be no spectators, but if a player needs a carer, they are allowed one carer per person.
“We have had big numbers playing undercover (at Mount Gambier Bowls Club) all winter so participation is looking very good.”
Tomorrow the Ladies Friday Pennants season starts from 10am with Naracoorte hosting Millicent Red, Penola travelling to Kingston, Millicent Blue facing Port MacDonnell, plus a Mt Gambier RSL Red v Blue inter-club battle.
Saturday’s action starts from 1pm with Robe hosting Mount Gambier Red, Mt Gambier RSL Red travelling to Millicent, Mt Gambier RSL Blue welcoming Naracoorte and Port MacDonnell playing Mount Gambier Blue under the roof.
Previously when COVID-19 restrictions stopped sports nuts from doing what they love, many turned to the wide-open surroundings of the golf course and that may be the case again this weekend.
Golf SA notified all Limestone Coast clubs competition could continue and Blue Lake Public Golf Links Bar and Bistro owner Bill Burley confirmed the good news it remains business as usual, but players must be alert to restrictions inside the clubhouse.
“Golf SA just put out a release saying to continue doing what we are doing,” he said.
“We will just have to be aware of the density in the clubhouse, so golf has not changed and it is more about what happens inside.
“Golf is not a big spectator sport, so we are very lucky we do not have to worry too much.
“We will just need to make sure everyone is wearing masks, sitting down when drinking and having one in four density, so our sport has not been affected.”
Unfortunately, not everything can continue on the golf course with the uncertainty forcing Mount Gambier to reschedule a couple of events.
The Seniors Golf Tournament has been rescheduled to Sunday, October 17, while the 99th Spring Tournament presentations have been moved back a week to Friday, October 15 from 6:45pm.
The Mount Gambier and District Tennis Association season is scheduled to swing into life next weekend.
But this week the body hoped to build momentum by hosting a two-day Tennis Masters holiday clinic.
However, the new restrictions and lack of numbers forced it to be postponed and Tennis Masters is hoping to run a clinic during the Christmas school holidays.
The basketball world was lucky to play the Murray Bridge tournament over the long weekend just before the COVID-19 restrictions were brought in place.
However, many Mount Gambier Lakers players received bad news after finishing the business on court.
SA Country Under 13 and 14 development camps were scheduled to take place in Mount Gambier this week, but sadly the governing body was forced to cancel both sessions.
The Under 13 South camp for players born in 2010 will not be rescheduled and a full refund for the players will be provided in the coming days.
But hope remains for the players born in 2009 with the SA Country Basketball Council looking to reschedule the Under 14 South camp at a later date.
Teams have been ramping up preparations for the upcoming summer of cricket in recent weeks and the latest measures should not prevent clubs from completing their training sessions, but all individuals must maintain social distancing and not hang around spectating.
The Mount Gambier Cycling Club released a statement saying the new restrictions have been recognised and will not conduct any structured training sessions or race meetings until restrictions are eased.
The club has already completed five of its scheduled 16 events in the 2021 Kidman Law Co. Spring/Summer Series.
Due to density requirements of one person per four square metres and masks a nonnegotiable in gyms, every Limestone Coast Regional Sporting Academy gym visit with Tony Checker this week has been cancelled.
SEAC Park was primed for a double dose of Rallycross and Autocross racing this weekend, but due to the new COVID-19 restrictions, they are both unlikely to go ahead.
Time will tell if sport will continue to be held back as summer sports rapidly approach.
