Path ahead becomes clearer for local sport
MATTHEW MCINERNEY
FAR North administrators are more optimistic of a return to action than they have been in months as the Prime Minister outlined the development of a clear strategy to guide the return of community sport.
Cairns Hockey general manager operations Kym McPhee-Smith only started in her new role in the off-season, but is now guiding the sport through one of its toughest challenges.
But McPhee-Smith, who has been involved in multiple sports as an athlete, coach and administrator, is steadfast in her opinion that sport will play a major role in the community’s recovery when restrictions are lifted.
“There will (still) be restrictions but I think we will be able to deliver some sport,” she said. “We don’t want to lose these kids, in particular the kids involved in rep programs. We want to keep them engaged.
“At least through training, we can offer a controlled environment. We are optimistic we can get a green light.”
While there’s no timeline yet, those restrictions may become clearer after Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced National Cabinet was working on “national principles” to guide states and territories in the return of sport. It is split into three tiers. “The major sporting codes, our Olympic sports, training arrangements that sit around support for those activities, by elite sportspeople,” he said.
“Secondly, at the community competitive sport level. That is such an important part of our way of life here in Australia, and the principles that can help guide decisions by states and territories in the future.
“And, thirdly, at the individual, passive level of sport and recreation. Activities from everything from – whether it’s in the shire, if you’re going surfing, or if you’re walking in the local national park, or whatever it might happen to be, those set of principles that states and territories can draw on in terms of getting some consistency across the country as we move into this next phase.”
McPhee-Smith’s optimistic outlook is one that hasn’t changed in the month since she and Cairns Hockey had to make the difficult decisions to suspend the season and stand down several staff.
“Sport will prevail,” she told the Cairns Post at the time.
“Sport will be the happy place when this is all over.
“It will be one of the most important parts of life.”
McPhee-Smith was among 20 sports administrators from across FNQ who met – virtually – on Thursday for the first time to discuss the biggest issues facing local sport and how they can best work through the aftermath of this crisis without impacting other sports.
The working group includes representatives from netball, Aussie rules, football and swimming.
Many sports are suspended until at least the end of May, with the most optimistic targets allowing for a return to training, albeit in small groups, in June.
Some sports, like golf and horse racing, are able to proceed with strict restrictions, while some sporting bodies, like Football Queensland, have turned to esports to provide members competition.