Return to Play update: What Government’s new Covid-19 tiers mean for basketball

Below is key information on how the recently announced Government Covid alert system will impact on basketball.

On Monday 12 October, the Government announced a new three-tier COVID-19 alert system which sets out information for local authorities and their residents in relation to managing the virus.  

The new Government alert levels (Medium, High and Very High) come with a number of new localised restrictions which could limit the amount of training and competition that clubs and members can undertake. 

Following a meeting with Sport England, DCMS and governing bodies of sport, we can confirm we are able to continue indoor training and competitive basketball across the Government levels as set out below: 

Level 1 - Medium 

• Elite competition and training – BBL, WBBL, NBL Division One, WNBL Division One, U18 Premier Men & Women, EABL, WEABL (RTP Level 2). Elite level is defined by government and detailed in Appendix 5 of the RTP document HERE 
• Junior competition and training – Jnr. NBL and local league for U18s and younger (RTP Level 2) 
• Educationally based competition and training – Schools, Colleges (AoC sport) incl ABL and Universities (BUCS)
• Non-elite senior training and competition in bubbles of up to six people (RTP Level 2 but with six-person limit) 

Level 2/3 - High/Very High 

• Elite competition and training – BBL, WBBL, NBL Division One, WNBL Division One, U18 Premier Men & Women, EABL, WEABL (RTP Level 2). Elite level is defined by government and detailed in Appendix 5 of the RTP document HERE 
• Junior competition and training – Jnr. NBL and local league for U18s and younger (RTP Level 2) 
• Educationally based competition and training – Schools, Colleges (AoC sport) incl ABL and Universities (BUCS)
• Non-elite senior can only train indoors with members of their households or support bubbles. No competition is permitted  

Level 3 – Travel Guidance 

The Government is advising people not to travel into or out of an area if it has been categorised as a Very High alert level area. However, for the indoor sports exemptions for elite, disability and under 18s, you can travel for the sole purposes of playing basketball within Covid secure environments. 

We have extended our advice about safe travel which can be found in our game day guidance HERE

These conditions provide a framework to allow competition and training under the outlined conditions. However, clubs are not obliged to play and should contact Basketball England if they are uncomfortable or concerned about conditions in their areas. 

Outdoor Basketball 

Outdoor basketball continues to be unaffected by any of the Government changes. Sessions for youth and adults can be delivered in line with Level 2 of our RTP. 

Basketball England’s CEO Stewart Kellett said:

“Disappointingly indoor sport has once again been disproportionately affected by the latest UK Government changes. Most significantly this is a further setback for non-elite 18+ players in tier 2 and 3 areas who now cannot play indoors within the ‘rule of six’. 

“Although we are mindful and committed to supporting the Government's strategy for tackling the virus, we strongly believe that our Return To Play plans, processes and mitigations are robust.  

“Followed correctly they can provide everyone in the basketball community with an opportunity to keep playing our sport with their health and safety as a primary focus. 

“Alongside other indoor team sports, we are actively seeking an urgent meeting with high level government officials to discuss the continued disproportionate affect that the government guidance is having on sport. We will update everyone as soon as we can.” 

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