THE PREMIER football preseason carnival on the North Coast - the Challenge Cup at Nambucca Heads - is the latest casualty of the coronavirus pandemic.
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The event was due to get underway at Coronation Park on Friday, but Cressida Usher, president of host club Nambucca Strikers, told the Guardian the reluctant decision had been made to cancel the tournament.
"It is with great sadness that I have to announce that Challenge Cup will be cancelled this year due to the risk of the spread of the coronavirus," Cressida said.
"With teams coming from all over the State, the risk of spreading the infection was deemed too great.
"Once again, we are saddened and disappointed that we have had to cancel, but we feel at this time that it is the right decision."
The soccer showpiece was to celebrate its 42nd year, and had attracted entries outside of the local zone from Armidale, the Macleay, Port Mcaquarie, Wallis Lake, Great Lakes, Grafton and Sydney powerhouses Glebe and West Pymble.
While the event has been scuppered, question marks hang over the other major codes of rugby league and netball.
Dean Hillery from the Macksville Sea Eagles said the latest guidance from Group 2 rugby league was that the regular season was due to get underway from April 19.
"But that could change at any moment," Dean said.
"We have to abide by the government regulation of no crowds over 500 people, but at this point there's been no directive on the competition starting."
NRL North Coast regional manager, Kevin Hill, posted to Facebook on Sunday: "We cannot provide any details other than what NSWRL provide.
"NSWRL will provide updates which will be available on the NSWRL website as the advice and guidelines they are receiving are fluid.
"The NSWRL is continuing to plan on the assumption that all competitions in NSWRL are proceeding as planned.
"The NSWRL is closely monitoring information and advice as provided by the Australian Government Department of Health in relation to the coronavirus."
The pandemic has already forced change to the netball season.
In a statement issued by Netball NSW: "To assist with infection control and in the absence of a defined position on community sport from government, it is the strong recommendation of Netball NSW that all community netball competitions in NSW should be suspended until Saturday 2nd May 2020.
"This, in our view, includes all activity: playing, training, grading, umpire training etc. - at all levels up to and including Metro League/ Regional League.
"However, we note that some of these activities may be subject to a risk analysis on a case by case basis.
"While this is obviously an unfortunate disruption to the netball season, Netball NSW believes that a blanket guidance such as this leaves all Associations, clubs, players, coaches, officials and administrators in the State in the same position while we watch developments around COVID-19.
"It is important to note that the season is not being cancelled. At this time, the recommended action is seen as a socially responsible position for the netball community in NSW to take.
"Netball NSW will continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis. A formal update will be provided on Wednesday 15 April, 2020 (the Wednesday after Easter). This update will include the latest information on competition start dates plus advice on recommencing training etc. If the situation is to change significantly, an update will be provided earlier."
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