Netball Australia has announced the upcoming international series against England Netball has been cancelled due to the ongoing closure of the trans-Tasman travel bubble due to COVID-19.
The England side had been in New Zealand for a series against the New Zealand Silver Ferns, and originally planned to travel to Australia through utilising the trans-Tasman travel bubble, however, it was closed on 31 August.
Since the closure of the trans-Tasman travel bubble, Netball Australia had been progressing quarantine plans for the English side, however, the series was instead cancelled due to the health and wellbeing of athletes, coaches and performance staff and limited opportunities to prepare for the series.
Netball Australia CEO, Kelly Ryan, said: “We are incredibly disappointed that this series will not go ahead.”
“We thank Netball England, Netball New Zealand and the state and federal governments for their support and unwavering commitment to play this series.
“The evolving COVID-19 restrictions meant that the Roses would have completed two quarantine periods during the series, which has significant impacts on health and wellbeing and performance.
“I am proud of Diamonds head coach Stacey Marinkovich and our athletes and staff for their commitment, resilience and understanding during these uncertain times.
“This program wouldn’t be possible without our fantastic partners who continue to stand by us as we navigate elite sport during a global pandemic, including naming rights partner Origin Energy and major partners Nissan, Suncorp and Woolworths.
“The Origin Australian Diamonds will make the most of their two-week training camp on the Sunshine Coast, with match-play and fan engagement opportunities to be worked through in the coming days,” Ryan said.
In a statement, England Netball said: “A planned international test series between the Vitality Roses and the Australian Diamonds is unable to go ahead due to the evolving COVID-19 restrictions in Australia, and the implications of government regulations relating to travel and quarantine.”
“The Vitality Roses, who are currently in New Zealand following their series victory against the Silver Ferns, were due to travel on to Australia to compete in a further three fixtures in October.
“However, despite huge efforts behind the scenes by Netball Australia and England Netball to navigate the evolving COVID-19 restrictions in Australia and make the series possible, the Vitality Roses will instead return home from New Zealand in the coming days,” the statement said.
