NEWCASTLE Hunters have withdrawn from the Waratah Basketball League to protect the health and well-being of Newcastle Basketball's 3500 members and the wider community.
The Hunters men's and women's teams were scheduled to play Sutherland Sharks at Sutherland tonight but those games will not proceed after Newcastle Basketball general manager Neil Goffet notified Basketball NSW management of his association's decision yesterday morning.
Newcastle were the reigning women's champions, and the Hunters men's team won the 2018 Waratah title. The Hunters have also withdrawn from the BNSW youth league women's and division one and two youth league men's competitions.
Canberra withdrew their men's and women's teams from the Waratah League on August 7, the day before they were scheduled to play the Hunters in Newcastle. Maitland Mustangs also announced yesterday that they had withdrawn their teams from senior Waratah League competitions.
Newcastle women's team, the defending champions, had established a 2-2 win-loss record.
"I fully understand and support the decision that has been made," their coach Martin McLean said.
"After playing only three games, it may seem disappointing to come to this decision. But we started our pre-season last November, so it has been an extremely difficult and long season due to all the interruptions and circumstances.
"It has been challenging to say the least to maintain motivation and enthusiasm, and I'm confident I'm speaking on behalf of the team when I say that.
"It's easy to say that we can focus on next year but I guess we still don't know what lies ahead. In the meantime, we'll attempt to keep developing local talent in preparation for the 2021 season, whatever that may look like."
The Waratah League began on March 7 but Newcastle's first games, scheduled for March 14, were cancelled as the competition was put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It resumed on July 18 in a condensed 10-week format. Finals weekend is scheduled for September 19-20.
Under coach Rex Nottage, the Hunters men's team had built a 4-1 record this season to be in a three-way tie for second with Norths and Manly behind unbeaten leaders Central Coast (5-0).
"As coach of the team, I'm disappointed that we've pulled out and I'm sure the players are too, but of course we support the decision," Nottage said.
"It's the correct decision in the current climate and based on risk assessment, and you have to protect your own backyard."
Maitland withdrew their teams from the Waratah men's, youth league men's, and youth league women's competitions based on the NSW Health recommendations discouraging inter-regional community sport.
"Implications of this advice for people living in our region make continuing in the league untenable for our association," Maitland Basketball said in a statement on the club's Facebook page.
