Season two of the Sultana Bran Hockey League has been postponed due to the increasing COVID-19 situation in Australia.

In a media release today, Hockey One announced that the second season of Australia’s premier domestic men and women hockey competition will not be going ahead on the planned date. 

The competition was scheduled to start on the 1st of October and end in mid-November.

However, “the impact of COVID-19 and ongoing border restrictions have disrupted plans for the season to realistically go ahead safely on the scheduled start date,” the statement said.

Hockey One says the season will not commence until the end of October at the earliest, depending on the COVID-19 landscape.

Sultana Bran Hockey One league general manager, Tony Dodemaide, said: “As with all sporting and entertainment events, the effects of the ongoing pandemic have impacted our plans for the highly anticipated second season.”

“Disappointingly, it is clear to all teams and stakeholders that a start date of October 1st with the expectation of an uninterrupted national competition, including freedom of interstate travel and attending events, is no longer realistic in the current environment. 

“Together with all clubs, we are determined to deliver the season of the league and are currently exploring all options to do so.

“This rescheduling enables more time for the national and state government initiates of virus suppression and vaccination roll-out to take effect.

“We will continue to monitor circumstances and adjust our plans accordingly,” Dodemaide said. 

Hockey has now joined swimming, sailing, rugby union, NSW AFL, and more, in announcing either the cancellation of some major events or rearranging to competitions.

Super Netball, NRL, and AFL have gone as far as to make relocations, in order to keep their game alive.