Get all the latest news from WBA here https://mailchi.mp/753e47af8363/waikato-badminton-news-march2020

Waikato Badminton updates regarding Coronavirus / COVID-19 (21 March 2020)

Waikato Badminton Association (WBA) is responding to updated advice from the Ministry of Health and developments in the local community. Due to the evolving situation around Coronavirus / COVID-19, we have made the difficult decision to suspend WBA sanctioned events and programs effective immediately until Monday 27 April 2020.

The Eastlink Badminton Stadium currently remains open for individual Pay2Play Users, Playing Groups, and Clubs with additional conditions of use. All those in attendance must sign into the Visitor Logbook at the entrance and/or into their relevant Club register. Groups, clubs and individuals can elect to participate or not to participate in any activity at their personal discretion/risk. Please note that WBA Staff will be working remotely, and the Eastlink Badminton Stadium will be closed as soon as the New Zealand COVID-19 Alert moves to Level 3 (Restrict).

A summary of WBA events and programs affected include:

• Escapist WBA Summer League (Tuesday 31 March 7.00pm-9.30pm)
• Shuttle Time Non-Rep Tournament 1 (Sunday 5 April 9.00am-3.00pm)
• Junior Shuttle Time Club (Fridays 4.00pm-5.30pm)
• Development Squad Training (Mondays & Thursdays 4.00pm-5.30pm)
• Junior Rep Squad Training (Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 4.00pm-5.30pm/6.00pm)
• Elite & Performance Squad Training (Mondays to Thursdays 4.00pm-5.30pm/6.00pm)
• Senior Rep Squad Training (Tuesdays 5.30pm-7.00pm & Thursdays 5.30pm-7.30pm)
• Open Training (Sundays 5.00pm-7.00pm)
• Masters Rep Practices (Sundays 7.00pm-9.00pm)

WBA will continually review future events/programs to ensure they continue to align with the advice from the Ministry of Health and local authorities. WBA will also consult and communicate decisions with relevant groups of Members/Players regarding any rescheduled event/program dates, refund processes or cancellations when they become available.

To check for the latest Ministry of Health COVID-19 updates, refer to https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus.

We thank you for your understanding during this challenging time. We will stay in touch and be in contact with further updates as new information comes to hand. It is important that you all look after your physical and mental wellbeing at this time. If you have any concerns about your health or others, please ensure you immediately inform WBA Staff, seek advice from a suitably qualified medical professional or contact Healthline at 0800 358 5453.

Marianne Loh
Chief Executive Officer
P: 021 575 209
E: ceo@waikatobadminton.co.nz
W: www.waikatobadminton.co.nz

Waikato Badminton updates regarding Coronavirus / COVID-19 (19 March 2020)

Waikato Badminton continues to monitor the Coronavirus situation closely and is following the Ministry of Health’s advice in consultation with local authorities and other stakeholders including Badminton New Zealand. To check for the latest updates, refer to https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus.

Badminton New Zealand has suspended or postponed all Badminton New Zealand led events and programs from Monday 23rd March to Monday 27th April 2020 with continuous review. Waikato Badminton will continue to monitor the evolving situation and deliver its own events and programs on a case-by-case basis, with added precautions.

Here’s what we’re doing:

1. Having the Eastlink Badminton Stadium’s high traffic areas cleaned more frequently.
2. Ensuring all contact details of participants accessing WBA events/programs are clearly identified.
3. Minimising participation numbers during sanctioned WBA events/programs (less than 100 persons) by restricting facility access to essential (and known) participants (eg. players, coaches, match officials, staff and volunteers involved in operations and parents/guardians of participants).
4. WBA staff to provide WBA event/program participants with constant reminders of best hygiene practices (especially washing hands and social distancing).
5. Providing WBA event/program participants with an opportunity to withdraw from any activity at their personal discretion.

This decision does not restrict Clubs from continuing to deliver their regular programs but we strongly recommend that serious consideration is taken, including ensuring that all Clubs and/or Playing Groups update their databases as a priority to capture contact details of every Member AND Visitor who participates in badminton, regardless of the facility utilised. Most importantly, organisations, clubs and individuals can elect to participate or not to participate in any activity at their personal discretion/risk.

A reminder that the following people should not attend WBA events / programs / facilities:

• Anyone who is feeling unwell;
• Anyone who has been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19;
• Anyone who has been outside of New Zealand in the preceding 14 days.

Fundamental to this is to wash our hands BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER a session and maintain social distancing between all participants. We understand this is more difficult for children but please encourage everyone to follow these best practices:

• Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth (as hands touch many surfaces which can be contaminated).
• When coughing/sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue (discard tissue immediately into a closed bin and clean your hands with soap and water).
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly (at least 20 seconds on every part of the hand). Use soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub even if your hands are not visibly dirty.
• Maintain social distancing (at least 1 metre/3 feet distance between yourself and other people if possible). Instead of handshaking/high fives, try other alternative, safe and fun ways to acknowledge friendship and celebration without physical contact. These could be a verbal thank you, a bow, an elbow bump, a foot tap, or a simple tap with the racket.

We thank you for your understanding during this challenging time. We will stay in touch and be in contact with further updates as new information comes to hand. It is important that you all look after your physical and mental wellbeing at this time. If you have any concerns about your health or others, please ensure you immediately inform WBA Staff, seek advice from a suitably qualified medical professional or contact Healthline at 0800 358 5453.

Thank you for your cooperation and please contact us if you have any questions.

Marianne Loh
Chief Executive Officer
P: 021 575 209
E: ceo@waikatobadminton.co.nz
W: www.waikatobadminton.co.nz

Waikato Badminton updates regarding Coronavirus / COVID-19 (19 March 2020)

Waikato Badminton continues to monitor the Coronavirus situation closely and is following the Ministry of Health’s advice in consultation with local authorities and other stakeholders including Badminton New Zealand. To check for the latest updates, refer tohttps://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus.

At this stage the Yonex Waikato International 2020 is suspended but all other Waikato Badminton events and programs (ie. gatherings less than 500 people) are continuing with added precautions. We are assessing risk on a case by case basis and will be in communication if any changes are made. Organisations, clubs and individuals can elect not to participate in any activity at their personal discretion.

Whilst we want all participants to enjoy their badminton experience, we also want to ensure everyone has a good awareness of the evolving situation. A fundamental part of this is NOT to attend a badminton session, event or program, and return home if you are sick or even starting to feel sick. It is also a New Zealand government requirement that anyone who has arrived in New Zealand from any other country to self-isolate for 14 days.

If you have any concerns about your health or others, please ensure you immediately inform WBA Staff, seek advice from a suitably qualified medical professional or contact Healthline at 0800 358 5453, and take the necessary precautions to recover and/or self-isolate. In the meantime, the best protection is to do the basics well:

• Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth (as hands touch many surfaces which can be contaminated).
• When coughing/sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue (discard tissue immediately into a closed bin and clean your hands with soap and water).
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly (at least 20 seconds on every part of the hand). Use soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub even if your hands are not visibly dirty.
• Maintain social distancing (at least 1 metre/3 feet distance between yourself and other people if possible). Instead of handshaking/high fives, try other alternative, safe and fun ways to acknowledge other participants without physical contact.

Thank you for your cooperation and please contact us if you have any questions.

Marianne Loh
Chief Executive Officer
P: 021 575 209
E: ceo@waikatobadminton.co.nz
W: www.waikatobadminton.co.nz