Notice to Stakeholders regarding DSA response to COVID-19

Mar 25

In the light of the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic, Disability Sports Australia has been working closely with multiple agencies and reviewing the evolving information and recommendations arising from key agencies such as the World Health Organisation, the Australian Department of Health and various other agencies.

As we review all our programs, events and operations, we have the safety and wellbeing of our participants, volunteers and officials top of mind. We also wish to do all we can to support efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the Australian community through implementing social distancing and other measures.

There is a range of excellent information in the public domain about how to protect yourself from COVID-19, as well as the current guidelines from WHO, Federal and state governments. Links to these resources are at the end of this notice.

You would be aware that in order to minimise the risk to the Community posted by COVID-19, the Australian Government has been imposing restrictions on events of a certain size, and we anticipate that these restrictions will be in place for the medium term as the situation in Australia is being managed.

After extensive consultation and review of best evidence, DSA has made the following decisions regarding our events and programs:

The Toyota 2020 National Wheelchair AFL Championship in Hobart Tasmania 2-4 April has been postponed – we are examining possible dates later this year and will make further announcements when we are able to.
The 2020 Wheelchair Rugby National League has been postponed until later in 2020. Rescheduled dates will be announced as soon as possible.
Other events such as the 2020 GIO Wheelchair Rugby National Championship, Start Up Kidz and Disability Sport Advisor training are currently under review and we will make further announcements about those programs before the end of March 2020.

The DSA staff will now be working remotely for a minimum of 4 weeks to support social distancing, but our stakeholders can be assured that we remain fully engaged in the work of enabling more people with a disability to be more active more often.

This is an ever-changing situation, and we wish to do all we are able to support initiatives to slow the spread of this disease to support the capacity of our health system to deliver care when it is needed. We will continue to closely monitor this situation and provide support and advice as we can to our members and stakeholders. Enquiries: Jenni Cole CEO: CEO@sports.org.au

Useful information and resources:

World Health Organisation (WHO)

The WHO is providing regular updates and analysis of the situation worldwide. The landing page for this information is: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Australian Government

Health