LESS than one week from Culburra Beach's Sam Wright-Smith and his NSW side were set to start their assault on the Australian under 21 hockey championships, the event has been postponed due to COVID-19 concerns.
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Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation in NSW and particularly Greater Sydney, the championships originally scheduled to be held from June 30 to July 7 in Moorebank will not go ahead as planned.
Hockey Australia and its member associations made the decision on Thursday after waiting to see the latest NSW government health advice and announcements from the other Australian states and territories.
"This is frustrating, especially for the teams and the players, but with the current alert around Greater Sydney and uncertainty with interstate border closures and restrictions, this was the most appropriate and correct decision to make," said Hockey Australia CEO Matt Favier.
"The safety of the players, coaches, officials and friends and family who were planning to attend the championships is our top priority, together with the assuredness that the teams can arrive, compete and return to their home states and territories without the risk of having to quarantine.
"We look forward to being able to hold these championships in the not too distant future and thank the member associations and everyone involved with the teams for their understanding."
New dates and venue for the rescheduled Australian titles will be announced in the coming weeks.
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