BADMINTON AUSTRALIA HAS MOVED TO A NEW LOCATION!!!

Level 2, Sports House

375 Albert Road, Albert Park, Victoria, Australia 3206.

Phone number +61 03 8319 5717

Email admin@badminton.org.au

This move is part of a new era for Badminton in Australia. The benefits of the new office include a central location, more functional for staff, contractors & volunteers, are closer to sponsors and partners, is part of Australia’s premier sports precinct and will assist in building the capacity of BA to support the Badminton community to continue to grow and develop in Australia.

This new era for Badminton in Australia builds on the success of the past that provides a foundation for success into the future. This new era not only includes a new office, but also includes a new CEO, a new national e-newsletter – ‘The Shuttler’, provides new resources to support clubs to grow,  the development of a new strategic plan, the development a new national brand reflecting the fun, dynamism & excitement of badminton, the development of a new coaching framework for Australia and the development of a new High Performance system for Australia.

Visit: www.badminton.org.au or email admin@badminton.org.au for further information.

Overnight BWF Secretary Thomas Lund provided an update to the Olympic and Paralympic qualifying regulations. The update comes after the announcement last week of a revamped tournament calendar for the 2020 year. About the outcome of the new regulations Lund said:

“We feel this is a fair solution for all athletes and it will be our first and main priority to conduct these tournaments as part of badminton and Para badminton’s adjusted return in the wake of COVID-19.

“Although we aim to resume international tournaments towards the end of 2020, we have chosen to resume the Olympic and Paralympic qualification process only in 2021 to ensure that travel restrictions and other related impacts of COVID-19 are limited.”

Badminton Australia’s General Manager of Sport Operations said “No doubt this news will be welcomed by any athletes who have had their Olympic campaigns halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new regulations will provide clarity for players and give them a chance to start adjusting their tournament plans accordingly.”

To read more about the new regulations click here

Photo credit: Badmintonphoto

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Contact

Badminton Australia

admin@badminton.org.au

15/8 Techno Park Drive, Williamstown

(03) 9397 4722

Thank you to all in the Australian Badminton community for their very responsible approach to the current COVID-19 situation. As this situation is changing rapidly, we will continue to update the badminton community as often as possible. We commend and applaud the badminton States/Territories, Associations, clubs, members and participants on the measures they have all taken in the last few weeks to ensure the safety of badminton participants and the wider community.

In a media conference held yesterday (22 March 2020) the Prime Minister announced the following facilities are restricted from opening from midday local time 23 March 2020:

• Pubs, registered and licenced clubs (excluding bottle shops attached to these venues), hotels (excluding accommodation)
• Gyms and indoor sporting venues
• Cinemas, entertainment venues, casinos, and night clubs
• Restaurants and cafes will be restricted to takeaway and/or home delivery
• Religious gatherings, places of worship or funerals (in enclosed spaces and other than very small groups and where the 1 person per 4 square metre rule applies).

Other facilities are not impacted, but will be considered under stage 2 restrictions, if necessary. You can read the follow up statement here:

https://www.pm.gov.au/media/update-coronavirus-measures-220320

Following this announcement, Badminton Australia requires States/Territories, Associations and clubs to postpone indoor badminton activities as from midday, Monday 23 March 2020. In a time of great change, Badminton Australia is committed to supporting the community as we navigate this uncertain time. We will continue to work collaboratively with the badminton community as circumstances unfold. To assist with this process Badminton Australia is:

• Working with other the State/Territory badminton organisation, other sports, Sport Australia, Federal Government, the AOC, Paralympics Australia, AIS and other key stakeholders in our response and preparation
• Established a Coronavirus Risk working Group that meets on a regular basis
• Reviewing BA’s financial arrangements to ensure sustainability for the future and working with state/Territory Badminton organisations to do the same
• Is monitoring and supporting where able those from the badminton community who are still overseas
• Establishing a dedicated Coronavirus web page with information relating to coronavirus
• Start the process for developing an all of sport plan to relaunch Badminton once we get through the next period of time

The Badminton Australia team is here to assist you  via email and phone and we will continue to work with the State/Territory badminton organisations over this time. ​

Please stay safe and look after yourself, family, friends and community.

Jamie Parsons, CEO, Badminton Australia

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Contact

Badminton Australia

admin@badminton.org.au

15/8 Techno Park Drive, Williamstown

(03) 9397 4722

Today we’re announcing the Thomas & Uber Cup teams that have been selected to represent Australia at the 31^st Thomas Cup and the 28^th Uber Cup currently scheduled for August 2020.

Australia secured our place at the finals when both our women’s and men’s teams won their continental championships at the VICTOR Oceania Championships last month held in Ballarat. Both men’s and women’s team retain some experience from the 2018 Cups in Gronya Somerville, Wendy Chen, Jacob Schueler, Simon Leung and Mitchell Wheller, however both teams will see a majority of new faces.

Here is Australia’s Uber Cup (Women’s) team:

Name	State	Club
Angela Yu	Queensland	Dragon Badminton Club
Gronya Somerville	Victoria	Play Badminton
Kaitlyn Ea	Victoria	Infinity Badminton Club
Louisa Ma	Victoria	Badminton Academy of Victoria
Setyana Mapasa	New South Wales	Dulwich Hill Badminton Club
Sylvania Kurniawan	New South Wales	NBC
Tiffany Ho	New South Wales	NBC
Wendy Chen	Queensland	Sunnybank Hills Badminton Club

Here is Australia’s Thomas Cup (Men’s) team:

Name	State	Club
Jack Yu	Queensland	Dragon Badminton Club
Jacob Schueler	Victoria	Ocean Grove Badminton Club
Milain Ranasinghe	Western Australia	Badminton Association of Western Australia
Mitchell Wheller	Queensland	Dragon Badminton Club
Nathan Tang	Victoria	Glen Waverly Badminton Club
Simon Leung	Queensland	Griffith University
Tran Hoang Pham	New South Wales	NBC
Yingxiang Lin	Western Australia	An-Yu Club

A big congratulations to those who have been selected in the teams and we look forward to seeing you represent Australia!!

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Contact

Badminton Australia

15/8 Techno Park Drive, Williamstown

(03) 9397 4722

Please see below a statement from Badminton Word Federation regarding the postponement of the Thomas & Uber Cups.

Friday 20 March 2020

BWF MEDIA STATEMENT ON TOTAL BWF THOMAS AND UBER CUP FINALS 2020

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) can confirm that the TOTAL BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals 2020 to be staged in Aarhus, Denmark, from 16-24 May has been postponed until 15-23 August 2020.

BWF, in close consultation and consensus with tournament hosts Badminton Denmark, came to the conclusion that due to extraordinary circumstances related to the severe escalation of the COVID-19 outbreak globally, the tournament could not take place on its originally scheduled dates. 

BWF Secretary General Thomas Lund said: “All relevant health, safety and logistical risks have been considered by BWF, Badminton Denmark, tournament organisers, Sport Event Denmark, and the local Aarhus government in reaching this decision.

“The health, safety and wellbeing of all athletes, their entourage, officials and the greater badminton community is the top priority.

“Heightened travel and quarantine restrictions and the subsequent extreme logistical complications this has caused has also contributed to the postponement.

“While we look forward to staging this tournament at a later date, our thoughts are first and foremost with everyone affected by this pandemic around the world.”

The decision was made with the approval of the BWF Council, Badminton Denmark, Aarhus Municipality and BWF’s commercial partner.

Badminton Denmark CEO Bo Jensen added: “It has been a difficult but necessary decision to postpone the TOTAL BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals 2020. We look forward to working with the BWF and our partners to stage this event at a more appropriate time.

“However, our immediate concern is with the safety of all involved in this very uncertain time.”

The tournament will still be staged at the Ceres Arena in Aarhus.

BWF has also been forced to move the BWF Members’ Forum and AGM 2020. Both are key events on the BWF calendar and will now take place 20 and 21 August in Aarhus.

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Contact

Badminton Australia

15/8 Techno Park Drive, Williamstown

(03) 9397 4722

Badminton Australia would like to share with all States, Territories, Associations, clubs and participants,  an update relating to COVID-19 as announced by the Australian Government on the 18^th of March 2020.

The Australian Government has announced new community sport guidelines to combat the spread of COVID-19, as of 18 March 2020. This follows ongoing consultation with sporting organisations and is focused on providing relevant advice on change room access, physical contact, travel, and social distancing and hygiene practices. These guidelines were developed by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), comprising all state and territory Chief Health Officers and is chaired by the Australian Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy.

The guidelines were subsequently endorsed by the newly formed National Cabinet which is made up of all Premiers, First Ministers and the Prime Minister.

AHPPC COVID-19 COMMUNITY SPORT GUIDELINES

All community sport participants must play a role to help reduce the transmission of COVID 19, including those organising, attending or supporting attendance at these activities.

Participants should not attend and participate in Community Sport if they:

• have travelled internationally or been exposed to a person with COVID-19 in the preceding 14 days; or
• are at a high risk including the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions.

ATTENDANCE AT COMMUNITY SPORT ACTIVITIES

Only essential participants should attend activities, i.e. players, coaches, match officials, staff and volunteers involved in operations and parents/guardians of participants.

All players, visitors should practise the following social distancing measures at Community Sporting activities:

• Players, visitors and officials should minimise physical contact as much as is practicable, for example no shaking hands, no walking out with player mascots, no pre- or post-match celebrations and no celebrating between players during the match.
• When spectating or attending a game or training session, ensure a distance of 1.5 metres is kept between yourself and others.
• Access to change rooms should be restricted solely to players, officials and essential staff.
• If spectating, try to maintain 1.5 metres between yourself and others.
• It is recommended that sporting teams, including school sporting teams, maintain local competitions only, with no inter-district, or inter-club travel. As with all gatherings, basic protective measures should be observed, such as regular hand hygiene practices before, during and after the match, do not share drink bottles, and avoid touching your face.

It is acknowledged that contact sports have a greater risk of transmission than other sports, and as such, should be considered on a case-by-case basis. However, other mitigation strategies for match socialisation and contact must be employed to reduce the risk to players, visitors, and officials more broadly.

GENERAL HYGIENE MEASURES AT FACILITIES

Facilities should ensure that:

• spaces at each facility, surfaces and objects are regularly cleaned with disinfectant
• provide hand washing guidance
• promote regular and thorough hand washing by staff and participants
• provide sanitising hand rub dispensers in prominent places around the event (particularly entry or high use areas such as a registration desk, change rooms, toilets or kiosk)
• make sure dispensers are regularly refilled
• promote exclusion of ill persons

GYMS, INDOOR FITNESS CENTRES AND SWIMMING POOLS

Settings like gyms, indoor fitness centres and swimming pools are not required to close at this time providing they meet these requirements for social distancing and hand hygiene. Such venues should take actions to ensure regular high standards of environmental cleaning take place.

The Prime Minister’s media statement can be found at https://www.pm.gov.au/media/update-coronavirusmeasures

The most recent advice released by the AHPPC can be found at https://www.health.gov.au/news/australianhealth-protection-principal-committee-ahppc-coronavirus-covid-19-statement-on-17-march-2020

Additional information relating to the Government’s response to COVID-19 can be found at www.health.gov.au

The Australian Institute of Sport is maintaining an information page on COVID-19 and Sporting Activity

Sport Australia has also Suspended public activity on the AIS Campus in Canberra

Please see below links to your relevant state/territory body that provides the most up to date and relevant information for your own state or territory.

ACT – https://www.health.act.gov.au/about-our-health-system/novel-coronavirus-covid-19

NSW – https://sport.nsw.gov.au/novel-coronavirus-covid-19

NT – https://dtsc.nt.gov.au

QLD – https://www.qsport.org.au/news/

SA – https://www.orsr.sa.gov.au/ors_news?a=28302

TAS – https://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/publichealth/communicable_diseases_prevention_unit/infectious_diseases/coronavirus

VIC – https://www.vicsport.com.au/blog/3522/covid-19-coronavirus-update-and-links

WA – https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/department/news/news-article/2020/03/13/information-regarding-coronavirus-(covid-19)-and-recreation-camps

We encourage everyone to remain vigilant, calm and more importantly, visit your GP immediately if you are feeling unwell and have been to, or have been in contact with anyone from areas affected.

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Contact

Badminton Australia

15/8 Techno Park Drive, Williamstown

(03) 9397 4722

Badminton Australia and representatives of Australia’s State and Territory Badminton organisations met earlier today to discuss the JUNE BEVAN TEAM EVENT & AUSTRALASIAN U/17 CHAMPIONSHIPS scheduled to be held in Perth, Western Australia from the 11th-18th April 2020 and the CP MADDERN TEAM EVENT & AUSTRALIAN U/19 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS scheduled to be held in Geelong, Victoria from the 4th July to 11th July, 2020.

With consideration of the announcement by the Federal and State/Territory Governments relating to coronavirus and the importance of protecting the health and safety of the badminton community it was agreed to postpone both events with a view to holding the events later in the year possibly in September/October 2020.

Due to the unprecedented nature of this years national competitions Badminton Australia, together with the State and Territory badminton organisations, will meet again in late June 2020 to discuss championships arrangements, locations and the VAL NESBITT TEAM EVENT & AUSTRALIAN U/15 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS scheduled to be held in Adelaide, South Australia from 27th September to 3rd October, 2020.

Thank you for everyone’s patience and support whilst we have undergone this process.

Jamie Parsons, Chief Executive Officer, Badminton Australia

Badminton Australia continues to monitor on a daily basis the advice provided by government organisations, public health units and the World Health Organisation regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The health and well-being of our players, coaches, officials, volunteers, staff and all personnel is our highest priority in this unforeseen and complex environment.

Badminton Australia has established a BA Coronavirus Working Group to develop, review and update a BA’s  Coronavirus Risk Assessment Action Plan. The working group will be chaired by the BA CEO and will include the BA Manager Sport Operations, BA Board President, Chair of the BA Finance and Audit Committee, BA’s Board legal expert and an external medical expert. Other experts and personnel will join the committee to assist in Badminton’s response to the Coronavirus as needed.

The Working Group will meet at least weekly for the foreseeable future with the BA CEO responsible for ongoing day to day organisational decisions relating to badminton’s response to the coronavirus.

Badminton Australia will be facilitating a meeting with states this week to discuss the status of the upcoming June Bevan Team Event & Australasian. U/17 Championships. Dates: 11th – 18th April 2020 and the national Under 19 Championships to be held in Geelong.

More information about news relating to Coronavirus and how you can help to reduce the spread of the virus can be found by clicking here. Further information about the Australian Governments response to the coronavirus can be found by clicking here.

The Australian Institute of Sport has a number of useful resources available, we encourage the badminton community to also refer to this page regularly.

For more detailed information about travel warnings and advice, visit Smart Traveller or the World Health Organisation websites.

We encourage everyone to remain vigilant, calm and more importantly, visit your GP immediately if you are feeling unwell and have been to, or have been in contact with anyone from areas affected.

Jamie Parsons

Chief Executive Officer

Badminton Australia

Badminton Australia and the State and Territory badminton organisations continue to closely monitor the impacts of COVID-19 (Coranavirus) and monitor the advice provided by the Australian and State/Territory Governments.

The situation is constantly evolving, the most up to date advice and information pertaining to sport activity can be found at the AIS webpage and more general information at the Federal Government webpage dedicated to providing evidence based, real time advice in a number of areas, including travelling to sporting events, athletes arriving or returning to Australia, and FAQ’s relating to COVID-19.

The website also links to other sources of information including the Australian Government Department of Health and WHO situation reports.

Badminton Australia’s priority is to provide a safe and healthy environment for all participants in our sport. To ensure this we ask that people in the badminton community do not participate in badminton activities if …

• you have been in any of the declared zones in the past two weeks (check here and include high / moderate risk zones)
• have been in contact with anyone who has been travelling in those zones, or if you are concerned you have been have been exposed to the virus
• have the slightest feeling of illness – i.e. colds and other flu like symptoms.

We ask everyone to practice high levels of hygiene health (washing hands, sanitizer etc) which are widely considered by health experts to be key to disease prevention and management. We also ask that you avoid physical contact with others.

Keeping our badminton community healthy over the next few months will be our priority. While it is an uncertain time we will take a careful and conservative approach and work closely with State/Territory Badminton organisations, Federal Government, AIS, AOC and Paralympics Australia.

Thank you for your patience and support and we will continue to provide additional information as it becomes available.

Jamie Parsons

Chief Executive Officer

Badminton Australia

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Contact

Badminton Australia

15/8 Techno Park Drive, Williamstown

(03) 9397 4722

Please see a message below from Stuart Borrie regarding Frequently Asked Questions related to International Tournaments associated with the Badminton World Federation including the Olympic Games.

Dear Members and Continental Confederations

The BWF has compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions to deal with ongoing concerns regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the different impacts this has on various groups within the badminton community.

BWF is continuing to monitor all official updates on COVID-19 with the health, safety and wellbeing of players, their entourage, fans, officials and all other concerned parties as the top priority.

_____________________________________________________

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Q: Where can I find valid information on COVID-19 (Coronavirus) related to international badminton tournaments?

• A: On the BWF Corporate Website under the ‘Announcements’ section: https://corporate.bwfbadminton.com/.
• This will be updated with new information as required and this COVID-19 Updates section will stay at the top of the announcements list.

2. Q: Where can general information be found regarding COVID-19 on how players, officials or Member Associations should deal with the situation?

• A: Everyone should seek advice from their own health authorities in their country and be sure to receive updates through official sources / the BWF.
• BWF is following the advice of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
• BWF has issued statements and updates on the situation related to COVID-19 and the impact it has on the badminton community (see list of BWF Updates and links below).
• These statements also include general advice on how to act in relation to COVID-19 when travelling to tournaments and gives guidelines on general preventative measures.

3. Q: What advice has BWF given to hosts of tournaments?

• A: BWF, Continental Confederations and hosts of all BWF-sanctioned tournaments are in close contact regarding the COVID-19 situation.
• The objective is that tournaments are staged as scheduled unless public health authorities in that country provide a directive to not stage the tournament.
• BWF has provided hosts with guidelines to help them prepare and to ensure that contingency and safety plans are in place in the event that something happens.
• All hosts are diligently working to secure the health and safety of all participants at these tournaments.
• BWF is also working with Continental Confederations and hosts to ensure that information is provided to participants on local conditions specific to the country where the tournament is hosted.

4. Q: Will players entered in tournaments be automatically withdrawn if a tournament is postponed or cancelled?

• A: All players will automatically be withdrawn from the tournament by the BWF. No further action is required.

5. Q: Will withdrawal fees apply if a tournament is postponed or cancelled close to the tournament date?

• A: No withdrawal fees apply. This is irrespective of the time the tournament is postponed or cancelled.

6. Q: Will players have to enter again into a postponed tournament if they were previously entered for the originally scheduled tournament?

• A: They will have to enter again once the postponed tournament opens up for entry. A revised prospectus with tournament information and new entry timelines will be sent to all Member Associations in due course once a new tournament date has been agreed with the hosts.

7. Q: If BWF World Tour tournaments – Super 1000, Super 750 and Super 500 – are cancelled, how will this affect Player Commitment regulations?

• A: If Super 1000 or Super 750 level tournaments are cancelled, no fines apply to players for not being able to play in the tournament.
• If a Super 500 level is cancelled, BWF will on a case by case basis consider if commitment regulations will be adjusted for particular players affected by the cancellation.
• Tournament cancellations at other levels are not related to the mandatory participation commitments so this will not lead to any changes to these rules.

8. Q: How will the postponement and cancellation of tournaments affect the Olympic Qualification period. Are there any changes being planned?

• A: BWF is not, at this point in time, planning to make any adjustments to the regulations related to the Olympic Qualification period.
• It is unfortunate that some tournaments have been postponed or cancelled and BWF appreciates that these tournaments have been part of players’ plans to seek qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and other tournaments where qualification is required (such as the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals).
• Any change to the existing Olympic qualification rules will affect different players both positively or negatively, and with the present level of postponement and cancellation, BWF does not believe that making changes is appropriate.
• The postponement or cancellation of tournaments is not within the control of hosts, BWF or the badminton community, but is caused by ongoing developments as a result of COVID-19 in different areas of the world and decisions will be taken based on information provided by public health authorities.

9. Q: Can players enter into other tournaments where the entry deadline has passed?

• A: All entry deadlines apply as usual and entry deadlines will not be extended for any tournaments due to postponement or cancellation of other tournaments.

10. Q: What is the status of BWF tournaments on the calendar? Will more tournaments be postponed or cancelled?

• A: To date, four tournaments have been postponed or cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak:
  1. CIPUTRA HANOI – YONEX SUNRISE Vietnam International Challenge 2020 (International Challenge)
  2. Lingshui China Masters 2020 (BWF Tour Super 100)
• Polish Open 2020 (International Challenge)

1. YONEX German Open 2020 (HSBC BWF World Tour Super 300)

• One tournament, the Fajr Badminton International Challenge 2020 (International Challenge), has been taken out of the Olympic Qualification process due to security risks and general travel advice from a significant number of governments around the world against travelling to Iran.
• All other tournaments on the BWF calendar within the Olympic qualification period are scheduled to run. BWF and the hosts are closely monitoring the situation in countries where scheduled tournaments are hosted and will inform the badminton community immediately if the status of these tournaments change. No absolute reassurances can be given on any potential negative impacts to scheduled tournaments as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

11. Q: What is the latest date a tournament can be postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19?

• A: There is no “latest date” in place for a tournament to be postponed or cancelled. All hosts intend to run their tournaments as scheduled.
• If COVID-19 develops in a way where national public health authorities provide directives against the tournament being hosted, the host and BWF will have to take necessary decisions and actions at that point in time. No absolute reassurances can be given on any potential negative impacts to scheduled tournaments as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

12. Q: What about players who have already travelled to tournaments? Are there places for them to practise at the venue of postponed or cancelled tournaments, or other locations?

• A: Players and teams already travelling to tournaments may be affected by the postponement or cancellation of a tournament, and may need a place to practise for a period of time until going to the next tournament.
• BWF advises that all players and teams make contact with the tournament host of the postponed or cancelled tournament, or the next upcoming tournament host, to request practice courts. BWF will be in touch with all hosts and encourage them to assist players and teams in the best possible way.

13. Q: Can players and Member Associations receive refunds on flight tickets and hotel accommodation if a tournament is postponed or cancelled?

• A: The postponement or cancellation is not within the control of tournament hosts, but is caused by the COVID-19 outbreak (therefore a Force Majeure).
• Tournament hosts cannot be held liable for costs of flight tickets and hotel accommodation booked by participating players, Member Associations and other participants.
• BWF advises that participants try to get refunds on flights tickets from the relevant travel agency or airline (this is often dependent on how the original flight ticket booking has been made). During this challenging and slightly uncertain period of time, it should be considered that flight bookings be made where it is possible to cancel the ticket and have the payment refunded.

Regarding hotel accommodation booked through the tournament host, the booking conditions informed by the host will apply. All tournament hosts are expected to try their best to mitigate against the unfortunate circumstances caused by a postponement or cancellation and hosts should seek to discuss solutions with official tournament hotels. This will have to be handled on a case by case basis, and, if it cannot be secured that prepaid amounts are refunded, participants may be liable to pay full amounts in line with the booking terms informed in the prospectus

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Contact

Badminton Australia

15/8 Techno Park Drive, Williamstown

(03) 9397 4722

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