VIS SPORT: UPDATES ON THE EVENTS CANCELLED/POSTPONED

The sporting calendar has been heavily impacted by the global coronavirus outbreak. Stay up to date with our VIS sports and how COVID-19 is impacting what.
Athletics: Queensland Track Classic Postponed, Australian Championships Postponed and Australian Junior Championships Cancelled.
15/03/2020: Queensland Track Classic Postponed.
Athletics Australia and Queensland Athletics today announce the postponement of the Queensland Track Classic due to concerns about the Coronavirus and public safety.

The event, which was scheduled for Friday March 20, is part of World Athletics Continental Tour; a global series of the world's best one-day athletic meetings.

Queensland Athletics Chief Executive Officer David Gynther said:

“The Track Classic is a very important meet for our athletes and for Olympic qualification, we looked at numerous options to hold it safely, but determined the risk to athletes, staff and particularly to our many elderly officials was too great. We will be doing our best to reschedule it as soon as we can.”

“This is unchartered territory, but we will be doing everything in our powers to ensure this meet and the valuable World Ranking points that come with it are available in the future,” Mr. Gynther said.

Athletics Australia President Mark Arbib, said “we are in contact with World Athletics requesting a review of its qualification processes for the Tokyo Olympics to ensure all countries are able to select athletes in the new health environment.”

“I would like to assure athletes and coaches that we will move swiftly to deliver qualifying events as soon as the opportunity becomes safely available. We are actively monitoring the situation on a daily basis and will continue to look for innovative solutions”

These are difficult days, but with common sense and understanding we can meet this challenge to ensure we select the best possible team for the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Mr. Arbib said.

13/03/2020: Australian Championships Postponed and Australian Junior Championships Cancelled.
Athletics Australia have taken the decision to cancel the 2020 Australian Junior (U14-U18) Track & Field Championships, which will not be re-scheduled and have postponed the 2020 Australian Senior (U20, Open and Para) Track & Field Championships to a date or dates to be determined.

With the current threat of coronavirus impacting the health and welfare of Australians, Athletics Australia has today taken guidance from the Australian & State Government’s (COAG) and other health authorities. This decision is in line with today’s recommendation that non-essential gatherings of more than 500 people should not proceed.
Details around refunds to all tickets that have been sold to the 2020 Australian Track & Field Championships will be made available soon.
As a consequence of the spread of the COVID-19 virus, effective immediately, Athletics Australia has determined that there will be no international travel for athletes, coaches and support staff until further notice.
Read more
Cycling: Australian Junior Track Nationals cancelled and Australian Elite/U19 Track Nationals Postponed
16/03/2020: Mansfield Subaru Tour cancelled

This weekends Mansfield Subaru Tour will be cancelled due to the on-going concerns of the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The decision made by Cycling Victoria and Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club President, Bruce Halket, was made in order to take further precautions in the interest of the health and wellbeing of our cycling community and the wider Mansfield community.

All entries will be refunded.

Information related to the continuation of our events over the immediate future will be announced tomorrow (Tuesday) following the Cycling Victoria Board meeting tonight.

13/03/2020: Australian Junior Track Nationals cancelled and Australian Elite/U19 Track Nationals Postponed

Cycling Australia wishes to advise that due to the continued outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and new government advice on mass gatherings that the 2020 Cycling Australia Junior Track National Championships has been cancelled and the 2020 Cycling Australia Elite and Under 19 Track National Championships has been postponed to a date to be determined.

Cycling Australia has taken this decision based on the current threat of Coronavirus impacting the health and welfare of Australians.

Cycling Australia Chair, Duncan Murray said; “For our riders who have put in so much time and effort to prepare we know this decision will be greatly disappointing. However, we are currently in unprecedented times and the welfare of everyone including riders, coaches, officials and their families and other supporters is paramount in coming to this decision.”

Cycling Australia CEO, Steve Drake said; “Our Track Nationals draw athletes, coaches, families and spectators from all over Australia. Whilst technically we may have been able to run these events with under 500 attendees, we have an obligation to our cycling family and to the broader community to assist authorities in limiting the spread and impact of COVID-19.”

A new date for the Elite and Under 19 Track National Championships, which will still take place in Brisbane, will be announced once determined. Any qualification implications for the 2020 UCI Junior Track World Championships will also be updated at the same time.
The difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Junior Track National Championships was made on the basis that holding the Championships later in the year would likely require it to be scheduled close to the 2020 Junior Road National Championships which would result in difficulties for state road events and would not be appropriate for prioritising school.

Cycling Australia also considered the option of holding the Championships ‘behind closed doors’ however it was determined that the threat posed from group travel and any potential long term isolation of minors while away from home was too high of a risk.

Diving: National Championships cancelled. 18/03/2020: Diving Age Championships Cancelled.
Diving Australia has today made the decision to cancel the 2020 Age Diving Championships. Whilst on one hand this was a very difficult decision, the ever-evolving and ongoing impact of the COVID-19 virus meant we had little choice. Any entries to date will be refunded in full.

We are closely monitoring the situation and taking advice from, and engaging with, the AIS, the Australian Government and a number of other entities. We are also in regular contact with our Chief Medical Officer, Dr Mark Young.

The health and safety of both our Diving community, and also the Australian community, is absolutely our number one priority.

Our hearts go out to all of the Athletes and Coaches who have been preparing diligently for this event who will now not be able to compete. And of course, those Officials and volunteers who were so looking forward to putting on a great Championship.

In that spirit, I would like to confirm that the 2021 Age Championships will be held during the Easter holidays next year (exact dates to be confirmed) in Brisbane, hosted by Diving Queensland. My thanks to all of our State Associations for their support.

15/03/2020: National Championships update
Given recent Australian Government announcements, Diving Australia is currently considering the impact on our Age Championships scheduled for Brisbane in mid April.
At this stage, no decision has been made. We are convening early this week to discuss this situation regarding Age, and more broadly. We will provide a further update as soon as possible.
11/03/2020: Diving Australia update on COVID-19
On behalf of DA, I want to reassure all of our members that we are closely monitoring the Coronavirus situation and its possible impact.

With that said, I want to let you know that, at this stage, our upcoming National Championships’ (Age, Opens and Elite Juniors) will still be going ahead. Please take into account the above in assessing your attendance at these events. Obviously, if anything changes in relation to these events or otherwise, we will update you accordingly.

Please know that the health and safety of our members and stakeholders is of paramount importance. We will continue to seek, and take, the best advice we can from our Chief Medical Officer and the AIS /AOC.

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Golf: GA cancels, postpones tournaments
16/03/2020: GA cancels, postpones tournaments
Golf Australia advises of key changes to several planned tournaments.

In light of national and ongoing Covid-19 concerns, GA chairman Andrew Newbold reluctantly confirms the scheduled Australian Junior Championships in April, both for girls and boys, has been cancelled.

In addition, the subsequent girls’ and boys’ Australian Junior Interstate Series – also scheduled for South Australia and the ACT, respectively – has also been cancelled.

The Australian Interstate Series, scheduled for Sydney in May, has also been cancelled.

The South Australian Amateur Classic and Rene Erichsen Salver competitions, scheduled to start at Glenelg Golf Club tomorrow, have been postponed to a date to be fixed.

Decisions about exemptions into respective Australian Opens for national junior champions will be made at a later date.

13/03/2020: LPGA Tour postponed next three events

The LPGA Tour has postponed its next three events, which combined with the cancellation of the Asian swing leaves the tour with a two-month gap in its schedule.

The tour's most recent play was on the final round of the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open in Adelaide on 16 February.

As it stands, the next tournament will be the Lotte Championship in Hawaii on April 14.

The LPGA Tour said in a statement that the cancellations of the Founders Championship, due to be played next week, the Kia Classic and the ANA Inspiration were based on concerns over the spread of the Coronavirus.

13/03/2020: Golf to continue as normal this weekend

Golf Australia advises that its weekend tournament play will proceed.

The organisation will continue to closely monitor developments of the Covid-19 virus in line with Australian Government recommendations on the corona virus pandemic.

GA protocols also insist that all events necessarily involving crowds or large-scale interstate travel remain under strict review.

But as no such criteria are breached in any weekend instances, there are currently no defined reasons to cancel the South Australian Amateur Championship, Rene Erichsen Salver, nor various pennant competitions around the country.

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Hockey: FIH Hockey Pro League put on hold, Hockey Australia suspend all travel. 20/03/2020: Pro League on hold through May.

Based on the latest developments of the COVID-19 outbreak and in particular of the response to it by the relevant public authorities globally, FIH, with the support of all participating National Associations, has today decided to extend the postponement period of the FIH Hockey Pro League to 17 May.

Consequently, all matches currently scheduled until 17 May are on hold.

FIH will keep on monitoring the situation closely, following the recommendations of the World Health Organization and the decisions of the public authorities.

13/03/2020: FIH Hockey Pro League put on hold until 15 April

Following the latest information and recommendations from the World Health Organization and the decisions taken by a number of governments and local authorities around the world regarding the current COVID-19 outbreak, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and all participating National Associations (NAs) have decided to put all FIH Hockey Pro League matches currently scheduled until 15 April on hold, with immediate effect.

Furthermore, FIH and the 11 NAs concerned have agreed on the following principles:

The 2020 FIH Hockey Pro League is maintained
No matches will be played after the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
Depending on the evolution of the situation and the decisions of the public authorities, every match which can be organized between late April and before the Olympics, shall be played
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08/03/2020: Hockey Australia suspends all international travel

In the wake of the ongoing and increasing outbreak in Europe, Hockey Australia has taken the unfortunate but necessary decision to suspend all international travel for its national teams, including the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras, until further notice.

Hockey Australia have made the determination after regular consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of the Australian Institute of Sport, and after monitoring the latest updates from the World Health Organisation and Australian Government.

Judo: International Judo Events Cancelled, Asia-Oceania Championships postponed
13/03/2020: Senior Asian-Oceania Championships 2020 - Selection Postponed

In light of the International Judo Federation (IJF) decision to postpone events until 30th April 2020, the Judo Australia selection committee are postponing selection of the Senior Asian-Oceania Championships Australian Team.
This team selection will be announced 5 weeks before a finalised date is known for the Senior Asian-Oceania Championships. The selection committee will publish an updated selection criteria document to reflect these changes.
Read more

11/03/2020: International Judo Event Update

The International Judo Federation in the lead-up to the Tokyo Olympic Games, are committed to providing the whole judo family with timely updates on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and their decisions to guaranty the safety of all, as well as the fairness of the sport.
Please stay up to date via the IJF Website here

Qualification News from the IJF
The IJF Executive Committee has taken the emergency decision to cancel with immediate effect all Olympic qualification Events on the IJF Calendar until April 30, 2020. This includes the Ekaterinburg Grand Slam in Russia and the Grand Prix in Tbilisi (GEO) and Antalya (TUR) and the continental events.
The Olympic qualification period will be extended until 30th June 2020
The Continental Championships planned in period until 30th April 2020 will be postponed
All Cadet and Junior events are also cancelled until 30th April 2020
Read more

Netball: Suncorp Netball season postponed 24/03/2020: Suncorp Netball postponed until June 30
The Suncorp Super Netball and Deakin University Australian Netball League 2020 seasons will be deferred and will not commence prior to the 30 June.

Read here: https://netb.al/SSNOnHold

14/03/2020: 2020 National Netball Championships cancelled.
Based on the expert medical advice of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, endorsed by Commonwealth, State and Territory governments, that organised public gatherings of more than 500 people be cancelled to reduce transmission of COVID-19 in Australia, Netball Australia will not proceed with the annual 17&U and 19&U National Netball Championships due to take place in Hobart from 18-23 April.

Given the nature of the event, and after extensive consultation with medical experts and relevant stakeholders, Netball Australia made the decision not to proceed with the tournament, which would bring together teams from all states and territories.

13/03/2020: Suncorp Team Girls Cup cancelled.
The Suncorp Super Netball league’s official pre-season tournament, the Suncorp Team Girls Cup, has been cancelled due the risk associated with COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

The pre-season tournament was due to take place at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney from 27-29 March, bringing together all eight Suncorp Super Netball teams, including all athletes, team staff, umpires and officials, as well as club and league administration.

Suncorp Super Netball CEO Chris Symington said the health of all stakeholders involved in the event was at the forefront of the decision to cancel.

“Our focus will now be on monitoring the COVID-19 situation as it develops and ensuring we have appropriate plans in place to deal with whatever challenges may arise in delivering the 2020 Suncorp Super Netball season.”

League management has advised clubs to reconsider their current schedule of pre-season matches, ensuring all government and health advice is followed.

Suncorp Super Netball league management and medical professionals will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation as it evolves in relation to the upcoming 2020 season, which is due to start on Saturday 2 May.

Para Sport: Information for Para athletes and IPC members regarding coronavirus
20/03/2020: The latest on sporting events cancelled or postponed

As the coronavirus pandemic sweeps across the globe leaving normal life in disarray, the sporting fraternity have also been hit.

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) will bring you daily updates on the cancellations, postponements and relocation of key Para sport events.

12/03/2020: Information for Para athletes and IPC members regarding coronavirus

In order to keep Para athletes, IPC members and other stakeholders informed of the latest situation with the coronavirus pandemic, the IPC will now publish a weekly update each Thursday, until further notice

Rowing: Sydney Regatta Cancelled, World Rowing cancel World Rowing Cup's
16/03/2020: Change in date for 2020 Underage Trials

Rowing Australia (RA) today confirmed the 2020 Underage National Selection Trials have been rescheduled to take place in July 2020. RA is positively responding to the call from the AIS and AOC for all sports to “prioritise the health of athletes, coaches, support staff and wider community by limiting the impact of the pandemic on our national health care system” at this time.

The 2020 Underage Selection Trials, where RA selects its Under 23, Under 21 and Junior Australian Rowing Teams, were scheduled to take place on 20 to 25 April at the Sydney International Regatta Centre. The new date in July will be confirmed in due course.

14/03/2020: 2020 Aon Sydney International Rowing Regatta cancelled

Rowing Australia (RA) today confirmed that the 2020 Aon Sydney International Rowing Regatta (SIRR 2020) has been cancelled due to the Federal Government announcement that non-essential mass gatherings of more than 500 are recommended not to proceed from Monday 16 March 2020 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The cancellation of SIRR 2020 means that RA will not run the 2020 Australian Open Championships (including the sprints), Australian Open Schools Championships or King’s and Queen’s Cups Interstate Regatta. The event was scheduled to be held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre from 23 to 29 March 2020.

10/03/2020: World Rowing cancel World Rowing Cup's

World Rowing announced today their decision to cancel World Rowing Cup 1 (Sabaudia, Italy), World Rowing Cup 2 (Varese, Italy) and the 2020 Final Paralympic Qualification Regatta due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Rowing Australia (RA) understands and supports this difficult decision issued by the FISA Executive Committee, the Italian Rowing Federation and respective organising committees.

The Gavirate International Para Rowing regatta, (not including the Paralympic qualification) has been postponed until 29 to 31 May 2020 in Gavirate, Italy.

FISA are currently reviewing the relocation of the 2020 Final Paralympic Qualification Regatta that was due to take place in Gavirate, Italy from 8 to 10 May 2020. Options for relocating qualification opportunities for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympics Games are being discussed with other Organising Committees as well as the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee.

RA will be evaluating and adjusting plans to ensure our rowers are provided with the safest training and competition environment in the lead up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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Sailing: 470 World Championships postponed, Trofeo Princesa Sofía Iberostar cancelled. 12/03/2020: Postponement of 2020 470 world championship

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the latest situation developments, and following instructions of the Spanish and Balearic Government, as well as the recommendations from WS, the 470 Class, together with Club Nautic Arenal, are obliged to postpone the 470 Worlds which were scheduled to take place in el Arenal, from the 13th to the 21st of March.

We are really sorry for this, but it is a world health issue and we have to introduce the restrictions as requested by the Spanish Authorities. The 470 Class, together with the MNAs and the Organizing Club, will investigate the possibility of holding the Worlds in the coming months, after the 15th of April, with more information to come as soon as possible. The World Championship is NOT cancelled at the moment.

12/03/2020: Cancellation of the 2020 Trofeo Princesa Sofía Iberostar

The Organizing Committee announces the cancellation of the 2020 Trofeo Princesa Sofía Iberostar due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and following recommendations from the Spanish and Balearic Governments. This affects all classes (Olympic classes, One-Design, Open Foil and ORC).

The organizers of the event, that was expected to be held in the Bay of Palma from 25th March to 4th April, deeply regret this situation but must follow the restrictions requested by the Health Authorities in order to face this world health issue.

Shooting: Tokyo Test event cancelled, Final nomination event set to go ahead in Sydney. 18/03/2020: Shooting Australia Open replaced with new events.
Shooting Australia today announced it has cancelled the Shooting Australia Open, scheduled for the Sydney International Shooting Centre at Cecil Park on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, to mitigate risks associated with COVID-19.

The Shooting Australia Open will be replaced by events exclusive to athletes who have previously registered Tokyo Olympic Games Minimum Qualification Scores (MQS) in pistol, rifle and shotgun disciplines and who are eligible for Australian Olympic Shooting Team selection.

The replacement events will be the fourth and final Tokyo Olympic Games nomination events. Rifle events will be held at the Wingfield Rifle Range in Adelaide on Friday and Saturday, while pistol and shotgun events will be held at the Sydney International Shooting Centre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Event times are to be advised.

10/03/2020: Tokyo Test event cancelled.
Shooting Australia has been advised the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020 shooting test event scheduled for April 16-26 has been cancelled because of the ongoing concerns regarding Coronavirus (Covid-19).

Shooting has not been the only Olympic event affected by pre-games Test event cancellations and Shooting Australia said it supports and understands the decision.

“The health of athletes and global communities is the number one priority,” said Shooting Australia High Performance Director, Adam Sachs.

“The cancellation affects all nations equally,” he said.

Mr Sachs said Australia was in the fortunate position to have athlete quotas for the Tokyo Olympic Games confirmed last year.

“We know we have 15 quota positions available across the shotgun, pistol and rifle disciplines and we are currently conducting nomination events to determine athlete selections,” he said.

Three of the four nomination events in all disciplines have been completed and the remaining nomination event will be held at the Sydney International Shooting Centre between March 20-22.

The Australian Olympic shooting team is scheduled to be announced on March 31.

Skateboarding: World Skate Open suspended. 16/03/2020: World Skate Open Lima 2020 suspended due to Corona Virus

The event, scheduled on April 5-11 in Lima, has been suspended due to the provisions adopted by Peruvian authorities to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The contest was supposed to host the World Cup Skate Open Marathon and the Skateboarding Open Street & Park, with the Skateboarding events sanctioned as qualifying event for the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020.

As the flights ban has been introduced between Peru, Europe and Asia for thirty days from March 16 and considering the evolving nature of the COVID-19 situation, World Skate and the local authorities have decided to suspend the event.

Carlos Canales, President of the Peruvian Cámara Nacional del Turismo - CANATUR: "World Skate and Peru have made the appropriate decisions at a very challenging time for the whole humanity. Let's be supportive and, after this moment of global crisis, we will be always waiting for you in Lima!"
A new date for the event will be set and released soon.

13/03/2020: Coronavirus Event Updates

Following the recent increased provisions around the world to contain the Coronavirus (COVID-19), please find a new update below on Skateboarding Olympic Qualification Events planned before the end of April 2020.

Soccer: What does it mean for the Matildas? 16/03/2020: Aussie Abroad: How COVID-19 is impacting that Matildas around the world.
Football leagues across the world have been postponed due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus - so what does it mean for the Westfield Matildas?

The large majority of leagues have suspended competition until April 4 at the very earliest.

The Westfield Matildas' international friendlies against Canada and United States have both been cancelled in light of recent developments.
Here is the latest information concerning Westfield Matildas players playing both abroad and at home:

Caitlin Foord (Arsenal), Sam Kerr (Chelsea), Chloe Logarzo (Bristol City), Hayley Raso (Everton) - FA Women's Super League - postponed until at least April 4
Mary Fowler (Montpellier) - Ligue 1, suspended until further notice
Emily Gielnik (Bayern Munich - Bundesliga, postponed until at least March 26
Alex Chidiac (Atletico Madrid) - La Liga, postponed until at least March 29 Lisa De Vanna (Fiorentina) - Serie A, suspended until further notice
Read more

16/03/2020: W-League Grand Final to go ahead.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) today confirmed that the remainder of the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 regular season, and the Westfield W-League 2020 Grand Final scheduled for this weekend will go ahead, but with all matches to be played behind closed doors and with no fans permitted to attend. This policy will apply for the remaining six rounds of the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 regular season and will be reviewed for the Hyundai A-League 2020 Finals Series.

The decision by the Federal Government that all travellers to Australia arriving from today will have to self-isolate for a period of 14 days means that matches involving Melbourne Victory and Wellington Phoenix will not proceed in Rounds 24 and 25 of the Hyundai A-League. These matches will be re-scheduled and Wellington Phoenix will play all their matches in Australia for the remainder of the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season.

FFA also confirmed that grassroots football, including all levels of the National Premier Leagues and FFA Cup Preliminary Rounds, may continue to be played at this time in line with Government advice, but with additional measures implemented to further reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection or transmission through the football community, including recommended hygiene measures and appropriate social distancing at football matches.

Surfing: WSL Cancels Or Postpones Events Through May
16/03/2020: WSL Cancels Or Postpones Events Through May

Due to the continued evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Surf League (WSL) is postponing or canceling all events, at all levels of competition, through the end of May.

This includes the postponement of the remainder of the events in the Australian leg of the Championship Tour, Bells Beach and Margaret River, as well as the WSL Big Wave Awards. The Quiksilver Pro G-land - scheduled to take place in a remote part of Indonesia in June - will either be canceled or moved to an area with more infrastructure.

While full details about the impact these changes will have on the 2020 Tour are not yet available, the WSL is working diligently to land the best solution for surfers and fans alike.

13/03/2020: WSL cancels all events in March

Due to the rapidly evolving situation with COVID-19 and out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our athletes, fans, and staff, the World Surf League (WSL) has made the decision to cancel all events yet to commence at all tour levels, worldwide for the remainder of March, including the opening event of the 2020 Championship Tour (CT) on the Gold Coast in Australia. Additionally, we are canceling the Papara Pro Open Tahiti.

This decision is based on guidance from the World Health Organization, who has declared that COVID-19 is now a global pandemic, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, governments and local public health authorities where our events are being held.

Based on the information we have at this time, we are not currently cancelling any additional events beyond this time frame. That said, the situation continues to evolve, and we are closely monitoring and evaluating the status of our upcoming events, including our next CT event at Bells Beach in Victoria, Australia.

The WSL is carefully considering the impact of these cancellations on our tours and we will provide further information in due course.

List of currently cancelled or postponed events:

Papara Pro Open Tahiti, French Polynesia - canceled
Piha Pro Junior, New Zealand - postponed
Corona Piha Pro, New Zealand - postponed
Seat Pro Netanya, Israel - postponed
Barbados Surf Pro, Barbados - postponed
Corona Open Gold Coast, Australia - canceled
WSL Awards - postponed
Red Bull Airborne Gold Coast, Australia - canceled
Jack's Surfboards Pro, USA - postponed
Longboard Pro Espinho, Portugal - postponed
Caparica Surf Fest Pro, Portugal - postponed
Central Japan Open, Japan - postponed
Krui Pro, Indonesia - postponed
Read more

Swimming: Australian Age Swimming Championships and Hancock Prospecting Australian Swimming Championships cancelled.
13/03/2020: Australian Age Swimming Championships and Hancock Prospecting Australian Swimming Championships in Perth later next month have been cancelled.

Swimming Australia wishes to advise that due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and government advice recommending restricting gatherings of more than 500 people, the upcoming Hancock Prospecting Australian Age Swimming Championships and Hancock Prospecting Australian Swimming Championships in Perth later next month have been cancelled.

Swimming Australia CEO Leigh Russell said the decision was based on the health and safety of the swimming community and their wider families.

“We understand that there will be significant disappointment for our swimmers who have put in so much time and effort to be in peak condition for this event, but these are unprecedented times and the welfare and safety of our athletes, coaches, staff, technical officials, members and their families is paramount and at the centre of our decision-making,” said Russell.

Water Polo: Changes to National Calendar 16/03/2020: Changes to National Calendar
The Water Polo Australia Board met on the weekend to discuss how the current recommendations presented to national sporting organisations in relation to COVID-19 virus, should be addressed by the sport.

With the current threat of coronavirus impacting the health and welfare of Australians, Water Polo Australia has taken guidance from the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), Australian Institute of Sport and other health authorities, to amend the national events calendar and national team training programs.
Effective from Monday March 16, 2020 the OVO Australian Waterpolo League (AWL) will be terminated for 2020, the 2020 WPA National Championships due to be held in Adelaide in May will be cancelled and the Open Championships (Country and Masters) due to be held on the Gold Coast in May will be postponed (date to be confirmed).

While the AWL finals are only weeks away from being completed the rate of change in the CoVid19 situation means that a suspension of the event is not an option. It would not be reasonable to expect Clubs to continue to train indefinitely waiting for the situation to abate. While the AWL crowds are unlikely to exceed 500 people, the requirement to travel through airports to and from games, and the broader connection our players and officials have into their respective communities, creates a significant risk to all.

All Age Group national team preparation programs will also be suspended until further notice. WPA will await FINA decisions around the FINA World Championships events and make decisions in due course re preparation for them, if they are to go ahead

VIS Open Day Postponed 12/03/2020 The VIS Open Day has been postponed until further notice.

It is with great disappointment that we have taken the decision to postpone our VIS Open Day originally scheduled to be held on Tuesday 7th April 2020. With the ongoing development of COVID-19 (coronavirus) we are taking the cautious approach and have decided to postpone the event for the protection of our athletes and staff.

With guidance from our medical professionals we are taking all necessary measures to protect the athletes in their preparation for the Olympic and Paralympic Games

As of now, the VIS have not decided on a new date for the Open Day and will communicate further once we know more.