Further to our previous message, the following information is critical to our return so please ensure you read it in its entirety.

𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀
The current season dates have been adjusted to run a 20 round season from November 13th, all the way through to Grand Finals on 25th June 2022. All current (Spring 2021 Season) registrations and age groups will apply through to the end of this season. More information can be found at https://dvbasketball.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Return-to-Basketball-Update-27.10.21.pdf

𝗩𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
The Department of Health’s statement that it is intended that community sport, both indoor and outdoor, is excluded from vaccination requirements if participants are attending solely for that activity.

This statement has been reiterated by Basketball Victoria, however a number of venues used by DVBA and Diamond Creek Basketball Club have other requirements. The primary one to affects Diamond Creek Basketball Club is Community Bank Stadium. Stadium Management have advised that their obligation as management of a shared use facility is to only allow fully vaccinated persons and those with a lawful exemption into the stadium. Further details can be found here https://www.communitybankstadium.com.au/community-bank-stadium-to-re-open-6pm-friday-29th-october/

Diamond Creek Basketball Club, while strongly recommending people get vaccinated where possible do not require our members to be vaccinated. However we must abide by the requirements of the facilities we must use and expect our members to follow any directions given. Physical or verbal abuse of anyone will not be tolerated.

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆
Government requirements stipulate a density quota of no more than 4 people per square meter for indoor community sport. Diamond Creek Basketball Club expect its members to follow all guidelines and any directions from a venue’s COVID marshal at all venues.

At Community Bank Stadium to simplify management of density quotas, training start time will remain the same but we are shortening sessions by 10 min. This will allow for a minimal cross over period.

𝗨𝟴 – 𝗨𝟭𝟮 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲
Earlier this year, Basketball Victoria made the decision to move all age groups U12 and below to a Size 5 ball (https://basketballvictoria.com.au/size-5-basketballs-u12/). In line with this, DVBA have implemented this change in all U8, U10 & U12 competitions from this season.

𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴
Nation wide, community sport are suffering a shortage of officials. DVBA have not been exempt from this crisis and while there is an Action Plan in place to address this, referee numbers are at critical level. At this stage, DVBA have had to institute a number of measures to combat the issue in the short term. These include

➡️ Whole age group byes
For rounds 1-3 DVBA will schedule entire age groups a bye. The schedule is as follows:
– R1 – U17 Girls & U16 Boys
– R2 – U10 Boys & U8 Girls
– R3 – U10 Girls & U8 Boys

➡️ U8 Referees
From round 4 onward, all U8 games will be grouped together at multi-court venues and will be refereed by a volunteer of the home team under the supervision of a senior official. The away team may also provide a referee of they wish.

Each U8 team entered must therefore provide at least one person, aged at least 14, to be their dedicated referee for the season. A team may enter more than one person to officiate. Mandatory Education Sessions for these volunteer referees are being provided by DVBA free of charge to assist.