2020-06-15

News from Croquet Victoria Council

At its June meeting, the Croquet Victoria Council decided to go ahead with the Victorian title tournaments in the Croquet Victoria calendar. The first events will be the GC Men’s and Women’s Championships on 8/9 August, at the Victorian Croquet Centre.

When the light towers at VCC have been removed (essential for safety reasons), VCC is to come out of mothballs, thanks to a proposal incorporating voluntary labour, offered by the “Use Cairnlea” group of members.

UPDATE: the light towers were removed on Friday 19 June.

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2020-06-21

Returning to croquet - updated guidelines

More good news for Victorian croquet players.

Players can now return to the courts as long as no more than 20 people are playing and social distancing is observed. Club houses are also open, subject to a maximum of 4m2 per person. Use of kitchens is subject to guidance from your local government authority.

For detail, see Croquet Victoria's guidelines, which are kept updated with the most recent requirements, and circulated to clubs. Please check these guidelines! Sport and Recreation Victoria asks that clubs do not contact them direct.

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New COVID-19 lockdown will affect some clubs

The Premier recently announced further COVID-19 restrictions:

• visitors to homes are limited to 5
• public gatherings are limited to 10

Additionally, twelve postcodes in northern and western suburbs of Melbourne are to revert to Stage 3 lockdown until at least 29 July.

Quoting the Premier:

"These "hot zones" will be required to return to Stage 3 Stay at Home restrictions. If you live in these locations, there will again only be four reasons to be out:
Shopping for food and supplies, care and caregiving, exercise, and study or work - if you can't do it from home.

"If you live outside these locations, there's only four reasons to come in: shopping for food and supplies, care and caregiving, exercise, and study or work - if you can't do it from home.

"And for everyone outside these zones: please, be smart, be safe and pay attention to the directions. If you don't then your local area might be next into lockdown and no one wants that."

So no travel in or out, unless absolutely necessary, and no sporting activity for residents for the time being.

Clubs likely to be affected are Brunswick, Essendon, Maribynong Park and Brimbank.

The postcodes affected (including two added on 4 July) are:

3012: Brooklyn, Kingsville, Maidstone, Tottenham, and West Footscray

3021: Alban Vale, Kealba, Kings Park, St Albans

3031: Flemington, Kensington

3032: Ascot Vale, High Point City, Maribyrnong, Travancore

3038: Keilor Downs, Keilor Lodge, Taylors Lakes, Watergardens

3042: Airport West, Keilor Park, Niddrie

3046: Glenroy, Hadfield, Oak Park

3047: Broadmeadows, Dallas, Jacana

3051: North Melbourne

3055: Brunswick South, Brunswick West, Moonee Vale, Moreland West

3060: Fawkner

3064: Craigieburn, Donnybrook, Mickleham, Roxburgh Park, Kalkallo.

From 4 July, residents of nine public housing towers are in hard lockdown, prohibited from leaving their apartments.

For more information, see the Premier's statement

As further guidelines are published by Government departments (DHHS, Sport and Recreation) we are updating this news item.

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2020-07-07

Lockdown for Metro Melbourne - update

In response to continuing significant increases in new corona virus cases, the Premier has announced a six-week return to Stage 3 restrictions for residents of Greater Melbourne (including the Mornington Peninsula but not Geelong), and Mitchell Shire north of Melbourne.

The default is that community sport should close, but sports such as tennis and golf are permitted. Recent DHHS advice is that these are examples of non-contact sports where equipment is not shared and social distancing can be maintained. In line with this, singles games of croquet may be allowable, with no more than 10 players in a session. Croquet Victoria suggests that any club that wishes to explore this option contact their local Council for advice.

Outside the metropolitan restriction area, non-contact sport and competition are still allowed, subject to social distancing and hygiene requirements. Detailed guidance is available on the Sport and Recreation website.

Travel across State boundaries to and from Victoria is still be subject to isolation requirements.

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2020-07-08

Survival grants for clubs

The State Government recently announced details of over 3800 grassroots sporting clubs who have been awarded $1000 short-term survival packages.

Grants went predominantly to the sports with a large community following:  Australian Rules football, cricket, tennis, soccer, netball and basketball.

Congratulations to the 45 croquet clubs who were among those who were successful.

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