The Government last week announced a four-step roadmap out of lockdown restrictions and has signalled a potential complete removal of social distancing guidelines by 21 June at the earliest.
Basketball England has liaised with Sport England and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and can confirm the approach for basketball outlined below in line with the organisation’s established Return to Play protocols.
Our updated roadmap will see elite basketball continue at RTP Level 2 initially, with the non-elite sectors of the game returning to action in a staged manner, starting at RTP Level 4 and progressing with caution to a full programme across the game.
Basketball will move between the stages outlined by the provisional dates as the Government deem it safe to do so. Please note, that in order to align with the four-step approach we have removed Level 3 of our Roadmap and sub-sectioned Level 2 into ‘outdoor only’ and ‘indoor/outdoor’ steps.
All the dates listed are the earliest these conditions will be allowed and are conditional on Government clearance.
“Today I had the opportunity to meet Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Oliver Dowden and Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson, to discuss the importance of accelerating the recovery of sport and the important role basketball has to play in this. Both were very keen to promote activity in schools, advocate for schools and all education facilities to re-open to the community and embrace clubs, their volunteers and young people.
“We are encouraged by the publication of the road map as we have been able to plan for a basketball return including capitalising on the thousands of outdoor courts and informal settings this summer and being game ready for a fast recovery for our competitive game.
"We will be promoting basketball and its benefits with local authorities and the education bodies so they can make the park courts and sports halls available to all as we move towards better times ahead.
“If the Government’s timetable for recovery works and the basketball community gear up in anticipation, then we have very good reason to feel optimistic about recovery. Let’s keep helping each other move forward to get back on court while continuing the hard the work from everyone in the game that has got us through the pandemic as safely as possible.”
Elite
Youth (U18)
Non-Elite senior
Basketball within education
Elite
Youth (U18)
Non-Elite senior
Basketball within education
Informal basketball - following Government restrictions
Elite
Youth (U18)
Non-Elite senior
Basketball within education
Informal basketball - following Government restrictions
Elite
Youth (U18)
Non-Elite senior
Basketball within education
Informal basketball - following Government restrictions
Basketball England will host a webinar for clubs to discuss implications arising from the new Return To Play Guidance.
Time: 4 March 2021, 16:30 GMT
Join HERE
Meeting ID: 869 0809 9800
Passcode: 308251
The webinar will be recorded and shared 48 hours later for those that cannot make it.
If anyone has any questions or requires any further Return to Play guidance, please email support@basketballengland.co.uk
If you have success during this next phase of Covid recovery linking with schools and education bodies to bring our game back, get in touch with support@basketballengaland.co.uk and we will share your story to boost confidence and help others in the game.
