SSA announces cancellation of 2020 13 – 19 Years Triathlon / 10 – 12 Years Aquathlon, 18 Years & Under Baseball, 18 Years & Under Tennis and 17 Years & Under Softball Championhips

School Sport Australia (SSA) advises the cancellation of the 2020 SSA Triathlon (13 – 19 Years) & Aquathlon (11 – 12 Years), 18 Years & Under Baseball, 18 Years & Under Tennis and 17 Years & Under Softball Championships that were scheduled to be held between March and May 2020.

SSA President Graeme Jennings said “The Board of School Sport Australia is saddened to have made this decision as we advocate for school sporting opportunities for all Australian school students. Many of Australia’s sporting legends had their first experience of high level representative competition at School Sport Australia championships. We understand that many students will already be preparing for these Championships. However, the safety and welfare of students and teachers plus all other people involved in our championships is forefront at the decision”.

“SSA has a duty of care to the students, teachers and to the entire community to reduce the propagation of COVID-19 and its impact. The cancellation of the Championship recognises the direction declared at the meeting of Australian and State / Territory Government’s (COAG) on 13 March 2020 that non-essential gatherings of more than 500 people should not proceed. We have already seen State and Territory Education Departments immediately cancelling school sporting events, including selection and preparation for teams to compete at SSA Championships” Mr Jennings said.

SSA will monitor information provided by our member bodies, being the State and Territory Education Departments, to guide our decisions on whether 2020 Championships will be held later in the year.

For further information on how this impacts State and Territory school sport programs, please contact your State / Territory School Sport Office. Their contact details are available on the SSA website at http://www.schoolsportaustralia.edu.au/stateterritory-school-sport-offices/.