Basketball has taken a step closer to coming out of lockdown following the Government's latest relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions.
The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Oliver Dowden gave a briefing on Thursday afternoon outlining new measures.
Among them he said indoor gyms and sports facilities will be able to reopen from 25 July and grass roots sport will also be able to return – starting this weekend with cricket and followed ‘soon’ by other sports, including basketball.
The return of basketball is subject to Government approval of an updated Return To Play (RTP) Guidance for the sport.
This was submitted on Monday after Basketball England’s collaboration with other sports as part of a Competitive Team Sports Working Group.
The next step for basketball will be to secure a return to play date, following Government approval of basketball’s updated RTP Guidance.
Once approval is secured, Basketball England will republish the RTP Guidance and provide further briefings and support to clubs, partner organisations, local leagues and members.
Basketball remains at Level 3 of the Basketball England RTP Guidance – we will provide updates when the game can progress to Level 2.
“With this positive news, we are really encouraged about the prospect of basketball being able to return safely, sooner rather than later,” said Basketball England CEO, Stewart Kellett.
“It was great the Secretary of State specifically mentioned basketball in his briefing. With comprehensive, Government-endorsed guidance we hope to be able to provide confidence for facility providers, including schools, colleges and universities, that the basketball community is well equipped to get back on court soon.”
