British Wheelchair Basketball has today published updated Return to Play Guidance which will enable the sport to restart its Return to Play plans from Monday 29th March 2021.
From this date, British Wheelchair Basketball will enter into STAGE 1 of the updated Return to Play Guidance (which can be viewed here), allowing BWB Sanctioned Activity to return outdoors for all participants (full court – up to 12 people; half-court – up to six people) in England and Scotland, and Under-18s only in Wales.
In line with the Government exemptions (England only), disabled participants will be able to return to indoor training (full court – up to 12 people; half-court – up to six people) from the 29th March 2021, and Under-18s (disabled or non-disabled) from 12th April 2021 in England.
These exemptions vary for each Home Country so please always refer to the latest guidance issued by your Home Government as any BWB sanctioned activity must adhere to restrictions (local and national) imposed by UK and Home Country Governments, and their guidance on social distancing and maximum capacities.
The current British Wheelchair Basketball guidance for each Home Country is as follows:
England: From 29th March 2021, England will enter STAGE 1 of BWB’s Return to Play Guidance, allowing BWB Sanctioned Activity to resume outdoors for all participants, and indoor activity for disabled participants from this date and Under-18s (disabled and non-disabled) from 12th April 2021, in line with Government exemptions.
Northern Ireland: BWB activity remains suspended in Northern Ireland, with the exception of British Wheelchair Basketball Performance Programme (Elite Sport Training) which will be delivered in accordance with government guidance.
Scotland: From 29th March 2021, Scotland will enter into STAGE 1 of BWB’s Return to Play Guidance, allowing BWB Sanctioned Activity to resume outdoors for all participants.
Wales: Under-18s can resume outdoor activity from Monday 29th March 2021, in line with British Wheelchair Basketball’s STAGE 1 Guidance. All other BWB Sanctioned Activity remains suspended in Wales, with the exception of British Wheelchair Basketball Performance Programme (Elite Sport Training) which will be delivered in accordance with government guidance.
The key messages throughout STAGE 1 uphold the Government guidance and focus on mitigating risk regarding spread of infection, with maximum numbers for each session, no sharing of equipment, the wearing of masks, and 1m+ (on-court) and 2m (off-court) social distancing (and adhering to legal gathering limits – off court).
As with last year, the move through the staged Return to Play (Matrix) will be dependent upon two factors. Firstly, the Government advice of England and the Home Countries support the transition to the next phase together, and secondly that British Wheelchair Basketball as the Sport NGB feels confident that our participants and clubs are ready to do so, and are meeting the guidance outlined within the current stage of return.
Guidance Document: We have issued a comprehensive Guidance document written for our clubs and participants. This is a recommended guidance document intended as a starting-point for the clubs and provided by BWB to assist them with their appropriate response to COVID-19. It is important that everyone reads and understands the full document – if anything is unclear or prompts a question please contact our membership team at membership@britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk
Staged Return Matrix: We have highlighted some elements of the staged return guidance within a Matrix (which can be viewed here), so that participants and clubs can understand the requirements of each stage of Return to Play. Each stage should be informed by the corresponding Guidance Document, which will be released by British Wheelchair Basketball in due course and will provide more detailed guidance on each stage. This is a recommended staged return document intended as a starting-point for the clubs and provided by BWB to assist them with their appropriate response to COVID-19.
Courses and Events
British Wheelchair Basketball can also provide the following update on the return of courses and events:
- Education Courses – will be re-introduced from Stage 2, no earlier than 17 May 2021
- School Games – currently planned to go ahead 2-6 September 2021 (information will be communicated via Regional Associations and Home Country Partners in due course)
- All other BWB Leagues and Competitions – will be reintroduced from the 2021-22 Season
British Wheelchair Basketball will be hosting a webinar for clubs to learn more about the phased Return to Play guidance on Wednesday, 31st March at 7pm. Clubs can sign-up via the BWB App or https://bwb.playwaze.com/Book/182689-A
There’s also free COVID-19 Awareness Training available for coaches, team staff, COVID-19 Officers and club volunteers. The ReActivate training platform, which is funded by Sport England and CIMPSA accredited, provides you with the skills and knowledge for a return to activity. The training can be accessed here.
Please remember that British Wheelchair Basketball and BWB’s staff team are here to support all of our members, volunteers and clubs in their Return to Play. Should you need help please email our membership team on membership@britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk or call the office on 01509 279900.
