Tenpin Bowling Australia COVID-19 Statement 6th May 2020
By Tenpin Bowling Australia
Dear Bowling Community,
The situation with COVID-19 continues to evolve at a rapid pace and there are some new developments that we’d like to share with you following our last communication on 28th April.
Over the past few weeks TBA has been working closely with a number of key stakeholders including the IBCA (Independent Bowling Centres Australia) and Zone Bowling, along with Federal and State Governments to ensure that tenpin bowling will be able to re-commence as soon as possible and in line with other indoor sports.
Australia has done an outstanding job to date at flattening the COVID-19 curve and as a consequence of this, many States and Territories have begun or are shortly about to relax some restrictions. Governments across the country are all united in the need to re-start community sport as soon as possible but cautiously, to optimise athlete and community safety.
As bowling centres cater for the sport of tenpin bowling as well as various entertainment options, TBA and your respective State and Territory Associations have been in regular and ongoing meetings with Federal and State government to ensure that league and tournament play can re-commence with other indoor community sports.
TBA welcomes the National Cabinet’s approval of the ‘National Principles for the Resumption of Sport and Recreation Activities’ and the Australian Institute of Sport’s (AIS) ‘Framework for Rebooting Sport in a COVID-19 Environment’, providing the pathway for a safer return to sport released on Friday 1st May.
Furthermore, we are working closely with the bowling industry to prepare guidelines for bowling centres who wish to re-open immediately, including a checklist of bowling specific requirements that will need to be satisfied. These are ongoing and complex discussions. Decisions regarding the recommencement of sport are the jurisdiction of State/Territory government and Local Public Health Authorities and therefore the guidelines and requirements may vary.
When will bowling be back?
On Friday 1st May, the Northern Territory Government became the first Territory to ease restrictions and reintroduce community sport. Therefore bowling will be back in the Northern Territory as of 15th May. What great news!
At the time of writing we are awaiting the release of the guidelines for not only Northern Territory, but all other States and Territories so that our sport specific return to play policies can be finalised and that together with industry we can focus on getting back on the lanes.
Checking in with our members?
In the next couple of days we’ll release a survey to seek your feedback about your thoughts on returning to bowling. However, we don’t want to assume that just because centres are open that you’ll be ready or can come back straight away. Along with the Independent Bowling Centres Australia (IBCA) and Zone Bowling Entertainment, we are interested in hearing from league bowlers in the lead up to restrictions being eased. The purpose of this survey is to understand if and what concerns you may have in returning to league bowling in a COVID-Safe environment. We would appreciate you completing this survey to help aid TBA and our centres in understanding the needs and concerns league bowlers may have returning to the great sport we love.
We will continue to keep you updated as further information comes to hand.
