Game on for community sport

It’s game on for community sport after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the Government will be loosening gathering restrictions to a level that will allow matches to be played.

The gathering limit will be lifted from 10 to 100 on Friday afternoon, meaning popular winter sports such as rugby, football, hockey and netball will be able to return to full training and games.

Teams that returned to training in alert level 2 have done so in small groups to adhere to current the 10-person limit.

‘‘Cabinet has decided we can now increase the size of all gatherings to 100 from noon this Friday, 29 May,’’ Ardern said. ‘‘The move to 100 allows community sport to operate more easily and I understand sporting codes have been working on operational guidance with Sport New Zealand.’’

It was originally thought that community sport would be permitted as soon as New Zealand dropped to level 2 on May 13, but some sporting organisations delayed their return when it was revealed that gatherings would be restricted to groups of just 10 people.

Rugby was one of those codes that held back, waiting until yesterday’s announcement before giving clubs the green light to resume training. The sport is targeting June 20 for the start of the club season.

Having been deep into their pre-season preparations when the country went into lockdown, Hutt Old Boys Marist chairman Phil Saxton said the players from his club were itching to get back out on the pitch.

However, he conceded that there were still challenges clubs will have to overcome before they can play games and host aftermatch functions.

‘‘Obviously the restrictions on numbers still come with some challenges, and we’re going to have to work with the Wellington Rugby Union just to make sure we’re ticking the boxes with regard to the requirements,’’ Saxton said.

‘‘But we’re quietly excited that we can potentially move forward and get our men and women back on the rugby field.

‘‘We know we have young men and women who are itching to get back on to the rugby field, and for their sake we’re very excited. Here’s hoping we can make it happen and make it work.’’

Nelson Suburbs director of football Ryan Stewart said his club was training in smaller groups, but was looking forward to hosting games next month.

‘‘I’ve had 16 emails already about people trying to book pitches for Saturday. People are excited to actually get out there and play,’’ Stewart said.

‘‘With the juniors we will probably look to keep the drop off and pick up rules for the start with parents, just to make sure we can get the kids on the pitch without any trouble.

‘‘But with senior games we will have to record everyone that attends and when they leave. It is hard but at least it’s a start.’’

A spokesperson for Sport NZ said the organisation will update its guidelines in the coming days.