A state of confusion reigned across the Central West on Tuesday after NSW Health recommended travel between regional centres across the state be limited, among a whole new list of guidelines.
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NSW Chief Medical Officer Kerry Chant announced the changes on Tuesday as the state recorded three new coronavirus cases, and said sports should stop zone, regional or state championships or competitions from Wednesday.
Overnight stays should also be cut back, while award ceremonies and even car pooling to games is set to be pulled back. Spectators should be limited to one parent per child, Dr Chant said.
It's thrown country sport into chaos, with regional travel essential in most competitions in the Central West.
However, most associations in the region believe they're already following rules, and new directives don't mean competitions need to be cancelled.
Central West Rugby Union CEO Matt Tink said he'd been surprised by the directive, and was seeking clarification from Rugby NSW and Country Rugby about how best to proceed.
"Our reading of it is these are recommendations, and most of these our clubs are already following and following really well," Tink said.
"At this point in time we think and we're confident we're doing the right thing."
He said he didn't expect anything to change at this stage.
While playing in separate competitions within the Central West Rugby Union set up, the Mudgee Wombats are required to travel across the region for games.
The Western Rams - a region incorporating Group 10, which is still running junior rugby league competitions, the Mid West Cup, and supplying players to Rams and Dubbo CYMS sides President's Cup - hadn't received advice signalling a change of tact would be needed mid-way through the season.
The status of the women's Premier League Hockey competition is likely to be more clear come Wednesday with Hockey NSW to release more information then.
Football NSW, which is running the Western Premier League and NPL sides, is also seeking clarification as to how to proceed.
At this point in time we think and we're confident we're doing the right thing.
- Central West Rugby Union CEO Matt Tink
As for the AFL Central West competition which involves Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo and Cowra, it is a similar scenario as the state governing body - NSW-ACT AFL - seeks more information.
Whether the women's Premier League Hockey competition can continue is likely to be more clear come Wednesday with Hockey NSW stating that is when "we will be providing further clarification on these recommendations".
Currently the eight team competition is five weeks from its scheduled conclusion.
Anya Whitelaw
Max Stainkamph
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
